Parcel theft deterrence for a/v recording and communication devices

ABSTRACT

Parcel theft deterrence for audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices, such as video doorbells and security cameras. When an A/V recording and communication device captures image data that includes a parcel, a parcel boundary may be created for monitoring the parcel within. In various embodiments, when the parcel is removed from the parcel boundary, a user alert may be generated to notify a user of a client device associated with the A/V recording and communication device that the parcel has been removed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/669,817 filed Aug. 4, 2017 which claims priority to U.S.provisional application No. 62/552,075 filed Jun. 19, 2017, U.S.provisional application No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017, and U.S.provisional application No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016; and is aContinuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/669,839filed Aug. 4, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/552,075 filed Jun. 19, 2017, U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017, and U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016. This application is alsoa Continuation-In-Part of International patent application No.PCT/US17/45636 filed Aug. 4, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.provisional application No. 62/552,075 filed Jun. 19, 2017, U.S.provisional application No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017, and U.S.provisional application No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016. Thisapplication is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/669,393 filed Aug. 4, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.provisional application No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017, and U.S.provisional application No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016. Thisapplication is also a Continuation-In-Part of International patentapplication No. PCT/US17/45538 filed Aug. 4, 2017, which claims priorityto U.S. provisional application No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017, andU.S. provisional application No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016. Thisapplication is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/669,092 filed Aug. 4, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.provisional application No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017 and U.S.provisional application No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016. Thisapplication is also a Continuation-In-Part of International patentapplication No. PCT/US17/45477 filed Aug. 4, 2017, which claims priorityto U.S. provisional application No. 62/479,060 filed Mar. 30, 2017, andU.S. provisional application No. 62/374,505 filed Aug. 12, 2016. Theentire contents of the priority applications are hereby incorporated byreference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate to audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication devices, including A/V recording and communicationdoorbell systems. In particular, the present embodiments relate toimprovements in the functionality of A/V recording and communicationdevices that strengthen the ability of such devices to reduce crime andenhance public safety.

BACKGROUND

Home safety is a concern for many homeowners and renters. Those seekingto protect or monitor their homes often wish to have video and audiocommunications with visitors, for example, those visiting an externaldoor or entryway. Audio/Video (A/V) recording and communication devices,such as doorbells, provide this functionality, and may also aid in crimedetection and prevention. For example, audio and/or video captured by anA/V recording and communication doorbell may be uploaded to the cloudand recorded on a remote server. Subsequent review of the A/V footagemay aid law enforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries andother crimes. Further, the presence of one or more an A/V recording andcommunication devices on the exterior of a home, such as a doorbell unitat the entrance of a home, acts as a powerful deterrent against would-beburglars.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present parcel theft deterrence foraudio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices have severalfeatures, no single one of which is solely responsible for theirdesirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the presentembodiments as expressed by the claims that follow, their more prominentfeatures now will be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of thepresent embodiments provide the advantages described herein.

One aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thatparcel pilferage is a pernicious and persistent problem. Parcel carriersfrequently leave parcels near the front door of a home when no oneanswers the door at the time of delivery. These parcels are vulnerableto theft, as they are often clearly visible from the street. Thisproblem has only gotten worse with the proliferation of online commerce,and is particularly common around major holidays when many consumers dotheir holiday shopping online. It would be advantageous, therefore, ifthe functionality of A/V recording and communication devices could beleveraged to deter parcel theft and/or to identify and apprehend parcelthieves. It would also be advantageous if the functionality of A/Vrecording and communication devices could be enhanced in one or moreways to deter parcel theft and/or to identify and apprehend parcelthieves. The present embodiments provide these advantages andenhancements, as described below.

Another aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thatthe rate at which parcel theft occurs, or the probability of parceltheft occurring, may be increased if the occupant is unavailable toretrieve the parcel in a relatively short time frame. The longer aparcel is at a delivery location, the probability that the parcel willbe taken increases. It would be advantageous, therefore, if thefunctionality of a system associated with an A/V recording andcommunication device, as well as the A/V recording and communicationdevice, could be used to determine the likelihood that the property isunoccupied or that the intended recipient of the parcel is otherwiseunavailable.

In embodiments, if the parcel is delivered, a system associated with anA/V recording and communication device that detects the delivery of theparcel may determine if a security system associated with the parcel isarmed. If the security system is disarmed, the security system data maybe analyzed to determine whether the property has been unoccupied. Ifthe property has been unoccupied, the system may transmit a request to aclient device, where the request is to place the security system and/orthe A/V recording and communication device in the package protectionmode. The system may then receive a message from the client device,where the message indicates to place the security system and/or the A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode. Basedon receiving the message, the system may cause the security systemand/or the A/V recording and communication device to operate in thepackage protection mode.

In a first aspect, a network device comprising one or more processors; acommunication module; and a non-transitory machine-readable memorystoring instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors,cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:receiving, using the communication module, image data from anaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication device installed at aproperty; based at least in part on the image data, determining that aparcel has been delivered to a property; based at least in part on theparcel being delivered to the property, transmitting, using thecommunication module and to a client device, a first message indicatingthat the parcel has been delivered to the property; determining that asecurity system associated with the security system is disarmed;determining that the property has been unoccupied for a threshold periodof time; based at least in part on the property being unoccupied for thethreshold period of time, transmitting, using the communication moduleand to the client device, a request to place the A/V recording andcommunication device in a package protection mode; receiving, using thecommunication module and from the client device, a second messageinstructing the network device to place the security system in thepackage protection mode; and based at least in part on receiving themessage, transmitting, using a communication module, a signal to the A/Vrecording and communication device, the signal configured to cause theA/V recording and communication device to operate in the packageprotection mode.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, determining that the parcel hasbeen delivered to the property comprises: analyzing the image data; andbased at least in part on the analyzing the image data, determining thatthe image data depicts the parcel.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the image data is first imagedata, and the non-transitory machine-readable memory stores furtherinstructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform operations comprising receiving,using the communication module, second image data generated by the A/Vrecording and communication device, wherein determining that theproperty has been unoccupied for the threshold period of time comprisesdetermining, using the second image data, that a person has left theproperty at a first time and a person has and has not entered theproperty between the first time and a second time.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the non-transitorymachine-readable memory stores further instructions, that when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising receiving, using the communication module,motion data generated by one or more sensors associated with theproperty; wherein determining that the property has been unoccupied forthe threshold period of time comprises determining, using the motiondata, that motion has not been detected within the property for thethreshold period of time.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the non-transitorymachine-readable memory stores further instructions, that when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising receiving, using the communication module,audio data generated by one or more sensors associated with theproperty, wherein determining that the property has been unoccupied forthe threshold period of time comprises determining, using the audiodata, that an occupant is not present.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the threshold period of timecomprises a period of time after a last detection of movement indicatingan exit of an occupant from the property.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the signal is a first signaland the A/V recording and communication device is a first A/V recordingand communication device, and the non-transitory machine-readable memorystores further instructions, that when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform operationscomprising, based at least in part on receiving the message,transmitting, using the communication module, a second signal to asecond A/V recording and communication device, the second signalconfigured to cause the second A/V recording and communication device tooperate in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the second A/V recording andcommunication device is associated with a second security system.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the image data is first image data, and the non-transitorymachine-readable memory stores further instructions, that when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising transmitting, using the communicationmodule, a query to determine occupancy to a second A/V recording andcommunication device; and receiving, using the communication module, atleast one of motion data or image data from the second A/V recording andcommunication device, wherein determining that the property has beenunoccupied for the threshold period of time comprises determining, basedat least in part on the at least one of the motion data or the secondimage data, that the property has been unoccupied for the thresholdperiod of time.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the operations furthercomprising: determining that the parcel is not removed from a deliverylocation after a period of time, wherein transmitting the request toplace the A/V recording and communication device in the packageprotection mode is further based on the parcel not being removed fromthe delivery location after the period of time.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the request is first requestand the client device is a first client device, and wherein theoperations further comprise: determining that a predetermined period oftime has elapsed since transmitting the request to the client device;and based at least in part on determining that the period of time havingelapsed, transmitting, using the communication module, a second requestto a second client device, the second request to place the A/V recordingand communication device in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device or a backend server.

In a second aspect, method for a network device, the network deviceincluding a processor and a communication module, the method comprising:receiving, by the processor and using the communication module, imagedata from an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device; basedat least in part on the image data, determining, by the processor, thata parcel has been delivered to a property; determining, by theprocessor, that a security system associated with the property isdisarmed; determining, by the processor, that the property isunoccupied; based at least in part on the security system being disarmedand the property being unoccupied, transmitting, using the communicationmodule, a request to a client device to place the A/V recording andcommunication device in a package protection mode; receiving, by theprocessor and using the communication module, a message instructing thenetwork device to place the security system in the package protectionmode; and based at least in part on receiving the message, transmitting,using a communication module, a signal to the A/V recording andcommunication device, the signal configured to cause the A/V recordingand communication device to operate in the package protection mode.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, determining that the parcel hasbeen delivered to the property comprises determining that the image datadepicts the parcel.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the image data is firstimage data, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by theprocessor and using the communication module, second image datagenerated by the A/V recording and communication device, whereindetermining that the property has been unoccupied for the thresholdperiod of time comprises determining, using the second image data, thata person has left the property and that, over the threshold period oftime, a person has not entered the property since the person has leftthe property.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprisesreceiving, by the processor and using the communication module, motiondata generated by one or more sensors associated with the property;wherein determining that the property has been unoccupied for thethreshold period of time comprises determining, using the motion data,that motion has not been detected within the property for the thresholdperiod of time.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the method further comprisesreceiving, by the processor and using the communication module, audiodata generated by one or more sensors associated with the property,wherein determining that the property has been unoccupied for thethreshold period of time comprises determining, using the audio data,that an occupant is not present for the threshold period of time.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, determining that theproperty is unoccupied comprises determining that an occupant exited theproperty and subsequently armed the security system.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the signal is a first signal, and wherein the method furthercomprises, based at least in part on receiving the message,transmitting, using a communication module, a second signal to a secondA/V recording and communication device, the signal configured to causethe second A/V recording and communication device to operate in thepackage protection mode.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the second A/V recording andcommunication device is associated with a second security system.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the image data is first image data, and wherein the method furthercomprises: transmitting, by the processor and using the communicationmodule, a request for occupancy to a second A/V recording andcommunication device; and receiving, by the processor and using thecommunication module, at least one of motion data or second image datafrom the second A/V recording and communication device, whereindetermining that the property is unoccupied is further based at least inpart the at least one of the motion data or the second image data.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the request is a first request, and wherein the method furthercomprises: determining, before receiving the message, that apredetermined period of time has passed since transmitting the request;and transmitting, by the processor and using the communication module, asecond request to a second client device, the second request to placethe A/V recording and communication device in the package protectionmode to a second client device.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device and a backend server.

In a third aspect, a network device comprising: one or more processors;a communication module; and a non-transitory machine-readable memorystoring a program, the program executable by at least one of theprocessors, the program comprising sets of instructions for: determiningthat a parcel has been delivered to a property; determining that theproperty is unoccupied; based at least in part on the parcel beingdelivered to the property and the property being unoccupied,transmitting, using the communication module and to a client device, arequest to place an A/V recording and communication device in a packageprotection mode; receiving, using the communication module, aninstruction from the client device to place the A/V recording andcommunication device in the package protection mode; and transmitting,using the communication module, a signal configured to cause the A/Vrecording and communication device to operate in the package protectionmode.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the non-transitorymachine-readable memory stores further instructions, that when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising receiving, using the communication module,a notification from a third-party server associated with a parceldelivery service, the notification indicating that the parcel has beendelivered to the property, wherein determining that the parcel has beendelivered to the property is based at least in part on the notification.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the non-transitorymachine-readable memory stores further instructions, that when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising receiving, using the communication module,image data generated by an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice; and determining that the image data depicts the parcel, whereindetermining that the parcel has been delivered to the property is basedat least in part on the determining that the image data depicts theparcel.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, determining that the propertyis unoccupied comprises: receiving, using the communication module,image data from an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device;and determining, using the image data, that an occupant is not locatedat the property.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, causing A/V recording andcommunication device to operate in the package protection mode comprisescausing the A/V recording and communication device to increase asensitivity of a sensor in at least one zone of the A/V recording andcommunication device.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the signal is a first signal, and the non-transitorymachine-readable memory stores further instructions, that when executedby the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising transmitting, using the communicationmodule, a second signal that is configured to cause a second A/Vrecording and communication device to operate in the package protectionmode.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, determining that the propertyis unoccupied comprises analyzing image data to determine that a personhas left the property and has not entered the property.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, determining that the propertyis unoccupied comprises analyzing motion data to determine that motionhas not been detected inside the property for a threshold period oftime.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, determining that the propertyis unoccupied comprises analyzing audio data to determine that a leastone of first sounds inside the property or an absence of second soundsinside the property do not indicate a presence of an occupant.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, determining that the propertyis unoccupied comprises determining that an occupant armed a securitysystem and subsequently exited the property.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the signal is a first signal,and the non-transitory machine-readable memory stores furtherinstructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform operations comprisingtransmitting, using the communication module, a second signal to adevice of a security system, the second signal configured to cause thedevice to operate in an activation mode.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the request is a firstrequest and the client device is a first client device, and thenon-transitory machine-readable memory stores further instructions, thatwhen executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform operations comprising determining that a period oftime has elapsed since transmitting the first request; determining thatthe parcel still located at a delivery location; and transmitting, usingthe communication module and to a second client device, a second requestto place the A/V recording and communication device in a packageprotection mode.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the request is a firstrequest and the client device is a first client device, and thenon-transitory machine-readable memory stores further instructions, thatwhen executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to perform operations comprising determining, beforereceiving the instruction, that a response from the client device hasnot been received for a threshold period of time since transmitting therequest; and transmitting, using the communication module, a secondrequest to a second client device, the second request to place the A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the third aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device, an application programming interface, astorage device, or a backend server.

In a fourth aspect, a method for a network device, the network deviceincluding a processor and a communication module, the method comprising:determining, by the processor, that a parcel has been delivered to aproperty; determining, by the processor, that the property isunoccupied; based at least in part on the determining that the parcelhas been delivered to the property and the determining that the propertyis unoccupied, transmitting, by the processor and using thecommunication module, a request to a client device, the request to placean A/V recording and communication device in a package protection mode;receiving, by the processor and using the communication module, amessage from the client device, the message including an indication toplace the A/V recording and communication device in the packageprotection mode; and transmitting, using the communication module, asignal that causes the A/V recording and communication device to operatein the package protection mode.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, determining that the property isunoccupied comprises: analyzing, by the processor, image data; anddetermining, by the processor, that the image data depicts a personleaving the property.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, determining that theproperty is unoccupied comprises: analyzing, by the processor, imagedata; and determining, by the processor, that the image data does notdepict a person located at the property.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, determining that theproperty has been unoccupied comprises: analyzing, by the processor,motion data; and determining, by the processor, that motion has not beendetected inside of the property.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, determining that theproperty has been unoccupied comprises: analyzing, by the processor,audio data; and determining, by the processor, that the audio data isnot indicative of any persons being present inside the property.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, determining that theproperty has been unoccupied comprises determining, by the processor,that an occupant exited the property and subsequently armed the securitysystem.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the request is a firstrequest and the client device is a first client device, and wherein themethod further comprises: determining, by the processor and beforereceiving the message, that a threshold period of time has elapsed sincetransmitting the request; and transmitting a second request to a secondclient device, the second request to place the device in the packageprotection mode.

In another embodiment of the fourth aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device and a backend server.

In a fifth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable media storinginstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:receiving a user alert from at least one of a network device or anaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, the user alertindicating that a parcel has been delivered to a property; based atleast in part on the user alert, causing the user alert to be displayedon a display; receiving a notification from the network device, thenotification indicating that the property is unoccupied and that the A/Vrecording and communication device is not in a package protection mode;based at least in part on the notification, causing the notification tobe displayed on the display; causing a user interface to be displayed onthe display; receiving an input associated with placing the A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode; andbased at least in part on the input, transmitting data to at least oneof the network device or the A/V recording and communication device, thedata indicative of a request to place the A/V recording andcommunication device in the package protection mode.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the operations further comprisingreceiving an indication from a delivery service that the parcel has beendelivered to the property.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the operations furthercomprising: receiving image data generated by the A/V recording andcommunication device, the image data depicting the parcel; and causingthe image data to be displayed on the display.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the operations furthercomprising causing a timer to be displayed on the display, the timerassociated with causing the A/V recording and communication device toautomatically be placed in the package protection mode after a timeperiod has elapsed.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the data is first data, andwherein the operations further comprise: determining that a period oftime has elapsed since receiving the notification; and based at least inpart on determining that the period of time has elapsed since receivingthe notification, transmitting second data to at least one of thenetwork device or the A/V recording and communication device, the seconddata representative of a command to place the A/V recording andcommunication device in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the data is first data andA/V recording and communication device is a first A/V recording andcommunication device, and wherein the operations further comprise, basedat least in part on receiving the input, transmitting second data to theat least one of the network device or a second A/V recording andcommunication device, the second data indicating to place the second A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the first A/V recording andcommunication device and the second A/V recording and communicationdevice are associated with a security system.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device and a backend server.

In a sixth aspect, a method implemented by a client device that includesa display, a communication module, and a processor, the methodcomprising: transmitting, by the processor and using the communicationmodule, location data to a network device, the location data indicatingthat the client device is outside of a property; receiving, by theprocessor and using the communication module, a user alert from at leastone of the network device or an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device, the user alert indicating that a parcel has beendelivered to the property; based at least in part on receiving of theuser alert, causing, by the processor, the user alert to be displayed onthe display; receiving, by the processor and using the communicationmodule, a notification indicating that the A/V recording andcommunication device is operating in mode other than a packageprotection mode; causing, by the processor, the notification to bedisplayed on the display; causing, by the processor, an option to bedisplayed on the display, the option for causing the A/V recording andcommunication device to operate in the package protection mode;receiving, by the processor, an input selecting the option for causingthe A/V recording and communication device to operate in the packageprotection mode; and based at least in part on receiving of the input,transmitting by the processor and using the communication module, amessage to the network device, the message indicating to place the A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode.

In an embodiment of the sixth aspect, the method further comprisesreceiving, by the processor and using the communication module, imagedata generated by the A/V recording and communication device, the imagedata depicting at least the parcel; and causing, by the processor, theimage data to be displayed on the display. In another embodiment of thesixth aspect, wherein the user alert further indicates that the propertyis unoccupied.

In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the message is a first message, and wherein the method furthercomprises, based at least in part on receiving the input, transmittingby the processor and using the communication module, a second message tothe network device, the second message indicating to place a second A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the sixth aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device and a backend server.

In a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable media storinginstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving anotification from a network device, the notification indicating that aparcel is present at the property and the property is unoccupied; basedat least in part on receiving of the notification, causing a userinterface to be displayed, the user interface configured to receive aninput to cause an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication deviceto operate in a package protection mode; receiving the input to causethe A/V recording and communication device to operate in the packageprotection mode; and based at least in part on the input, transmittingdata to at least one of the network device or the A/V recording andcommunication device, the data configured to cause the A/V recording andcommunication device to operate in the package protection mode.

In an embodiment of the seventh aspect, the operations furthercomprising receiving a notification from a third-party delivery servicethat delivered the parcel.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the operations furthercomprising: receiving image data generated by the A/V recording andcommunication device, the image data depicting the parcel; and causingthe image data to be displayed on the display.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the input is a first input,and wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a second inputassociated with causing a security system to operate in a mode, whereinthe data is further configured to cause the security system to operatein the mode.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the data is first data, and wherein the operations further comprise,based at least in part on the input, transmitting second data to atleast one of the network device or a second A/V recording andcommunication device, the second data configured to cause the second A/Vrecording and communication device to operate in the package protectionmode.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the first A/V recording andcommunication device and the second A/V recording and communicationdevice are associated with the security system.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the first A/V recording andcommunication device is associated with the security system and thesecond A/V recording and communication device is associated with asecond security system.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device, an application programming interface, astorage device, or a backend server.

In an eight aspect, a method implemented by a client device thatincludes a display, a communication module, and a processor, isprovided, the method comprising: receiving, by the processor and usingthe communication module, a notification from a network device, thenotification indicating that a parcel has been delivered to a propertythat is unoccupied; causing, by the processor, the notification to bedisplayed on the display; receiving, by the processor, an input to causethe A/V recording and communication device to operate in a packageprotection mode; and based at least in part on the input, transmitting,by the processor and using the communication module, a message to thenetwork device, the message indicating to cause the A/V recording andcommunication device to operate in the package protection mode.

In an embodiment of the eighth aspect, causing the A/V recording andcommunication device to operate in the package protection mode compriseschanging motion of the A/V recording and communication device.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the method further comprisesreceiving, by the processor and using the communication module, imagedata generated by the A/V recording and communication device, the imagedata depicting the parcel; and causing, by the processor, the image datato be displayed on the display.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the input is a first input,and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, by the processor, asecond input associated with causing a security system to operate in amode, the security system associated with the A/V recording andcommunication device, wherein the data is further configured to causethe security system to operate in the mode.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device is a first A/V recording and communication deviceand the data is first data, and wherein the method further comprises,based at least in part on the input, transmitting, by the processor andusing the communication module, second data to the network device, thesecond data configured to cause a second A/V recording and communicationdevice to operate in the package protection mode.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the first A/V recording andcommunication device and the second A/V recording and communicationdevice are associated with a security system

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the first A/V recording andcommunication device is associated with a first security system and thesecond A/V recording and communication device is associated with asecond security system.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the network device is atleast one of a hub device and a backend server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present parcel theft deterrence foraudio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices now will bediscussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageousfeatures. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious presentparcel theft deterrence for A/V recording and communication devicesshown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposesonly. These drawings include the following figures, in which likenumerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system for streamingand storing A/V content captured by an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for streaming and storingA/V content from an A/V recording and communication device according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of anA/V recording and communication device according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an A/V recordingand communication device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the A/Vrecording and communication device of FIG. 4 showing the cover removed;

FIGS. 7-9 are front perspective views of various internal components ofthe A/V recording and communication device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the A/V recording andcommunication device of FIG. 4 taken through the line 10-10 in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 11-13 are rear perspective views of various internal components ofthe A/V recording and communication device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a front view of an A/V recording and communication deviceaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the A/V recording and communication device ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the A/V recording andcommunication device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice of FIG. 14 and a mounting bracket;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a passive infrared sensor assembly according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of FIG.18, illustrating the fields of view of the passive infrared sensorsaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the components of the A/Vrecording and communication device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 22 is an upper front perspective view of an example A/V recordingand communication security camera according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram of example components of the A/Vrecording and communication security camera of FIG. 6;

FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of example components of afloodlight controller with A/V recording and communication featuresaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is an upper front perspective view of an example floodlightcontroller with A/V recording and communication features according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a front elevation view of the example floodlight controllerwith A/V recording and communication features of FIG. 9 in combinationwith a floodlight device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process fordeterring parcel theft with an A/V recording and communication deviceaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram illustrating an embodiment of a processfor deterring parcel theft with an A/V recording and communicationdevice according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of a barcode;

FIG. 30 is a front elevation view of a matrix code;

FIG. 31 is a front elevation view of a bokode;

FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of a radio frequency identification(RFID) tag;

FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram illustrating an embodiment of a processfor deterring parcel theft with an A/V recording and communicationdevice according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a front elevation view of a smart card;

FIG. 35 is a rear elevation view of a magnetic stripe card;

FIGS. 36 and 37 are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of processes fordeterring parcel theft with an A/V recording and communication deviceaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system fordeterring parcel theft using an A/V recording and communication deviceaccording to the present embodiments;

FIG. 39 is a functional block diagram of an A/V recording andcommunication device on which the present embodiments may be implementedaccording to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram illustrating one exampleembodiment of a smart-home hub device according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is a functional block diagram of a backend device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a functional block diagram of a client device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 43-51 are flowcharts illustrating various embodiments of processesfor deterring parcel theft with an A/V recording and communicationdevice according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 52-54 are example illustrations of graphical user interfaces (GUI)for creating parcel boundaries for deterring parcel theft with an A/Vrecording and communication device according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 55 is a functional block diagram of a client device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 56 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments may be implemented in numerous ways, includingas a process, an apparatus, a system, a computer program productembodied on a computer-readable storage medium, and/or a processor, suchas a processor configured to execute instructions stored on and/orprovided by a memory coupled to the processor. In this specification,these implementations may be referred to as techniques. In general, theorder of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the present embodiments. Unless stated otherwise, a componentsuch as a processor or a memory described as being configured to performa task may be implemented as a general component that is temporarilyconfigured to perform the task at a given time or a specific componentthat is manufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the termprocessor may comprise one or more devices, circuits, and/or processingcores configured to process data, such as computer program instructions.

The following detailed description describes the present embodimentswith reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers labelelements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers arereproduced below in connection with the discussion of the correspondingdrawing features.

The embodiments of the present parcel theft deterrence for audio/video(A/V) recording and communication devices are described below withreference to the figures. These figures, and their written descriptions,indicate that certain components of the apparatus are formed integrally,and certain other components are formed as separate pieces. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that components shown anddescribed herein as being formed integrally may in alternativeembodiments be formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinary skill in theart will further appreciate that components shown and described hereinas being formed as separate pieces may in alternative embodiments beformed integrally. Further, as used herein the term integral describes asingle unitary piece.

With reference to FIG. 1, the present embodiments include an audio/video(A/V) recording and communication device 100, interchangeably referredto herein as an A/V recording and communication device 130. While thepresent disclosure provides numerous examples of methods and systemsincluding A/V recording and communication doorbells, the presentembodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording and communicationdevices other than doorbells. For example, the present embodiments mayinclude one or more A/V recording and communication security camerasinstead of, or in addition to, one or more A/V recording andcommunication doorbells. An example A/V recording and communicationsecurity camera may include substantially all of the structure andfunctionality of the doorbells described herein, but without the frontbutton and related components.

The A/V recording and communication device 100 is typically located nearthe entrance to a structure (not shown), such as a dwelling, a business,a storage facility, etc. The A/V recording and communication device 100includes a camera 102, a microphone 104, and a speaker 106. The camera102 may comprise, for example, a high definition (HD) video camera, suchas one capable of capturing video images at an image display resolutionof 1080p or better. While not shown, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 100 may also include other hardware and/or components, such as ahousing, one or more motion sensors (and/or other types of sensors), abutton, etc. The A/V recording and communication device 100 may furtherinclude similar componentry and/or functionality as the wirelesscommunication doorbells described in US Patent Application PublicationNos. 2015/0022620 (application Ser. No. 14/499,828) and 2015/0022618(application Ser. No. 14/334,922), both of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entireties as if fully set forth.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 100 communicates with a user's network 110, which may be forexample a wired and/or wireless network. If the user's network 110 iswireless, or includes a wireless component, the network 110 may be aWi-Fi network compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or otherwireless communication standard(s). The user's network 110 is connectedto another network 112, which may comprise, for example, the Internetand/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). As described below,the A/V recording and communication device 100 may communicate with theuser's client device 114 via the user's network 110 and the network 112(Internet/PSTN). The user's client device 114 may comprise, for example,a mobile telephone (may also be referred to as a cellular telephone),such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or anothercommunication device. The user's client device 114 comprises a display(not shown) and related components capable of displaying streamingand/or recorded video images. The user's client device 114 may alsocomprise a speaker and related components capable of broadcastingstreaming and/or recorded audio, and may also comprise a microphone. TheA/V recording and communication device 100 may also communicate with oneor more remote storage device(s) 116 (may be referred to interchangeablyas “cloud storage device(s)”), one or more servers 118, and/or a backendAPI (application programming interface) 120 via the user's network 110and the network 112 (Internet/PSTN). While FIG. 1 illustrates thestorage device 116, the server 118, and the backend API 120 ascomponents separate from the network 112, it is to be understood thatthe storage device 116, the server 118, and/or the backend API 120 maybe considered to be components of the network 112.

The network 112 may be any wireless network or any wired network, or acombination thereof, configured to operatively couple theabove-mentioned modules, devices, and systems as shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, the network 112 may include one or more of the following: aPSTN (public switched telephone network), the Internet, a localintranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), aWAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtualprivate network (VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relayconnection, an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, asynchronous optical network (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E1 orE3 line, a Digital Data Service (DDS) connection, a DSL (DigitalSubscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (IntegratedServices Digital Network) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34, orV.34bis analog modem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (AsynchronousTransfer Mode) connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)or CDDI (Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore,communications may also include links to any of a variety of wirelessnetworks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication),LTE, VoLTE, LoRaWAN, LPWAN (e.g., RingNet), RPMA, LTE Cat-“X” (e.g. LTECat 1, LTE Cat 0, LTE CatMl, LTE Cat NB1), CDMA (Code Division MultipleAccess), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), FDMA (Frequency DivisionMultiple Access), and/or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division MultipleAccess) cellular phone networks, Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS), such as GPS, CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Researchin Motion, Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE802.11-based radio frequency network. The network may further include orinterface with any one or more of the following: RS-232 serialconnection, IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, Fibre Channel connection,IrDA (infrared) port, SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)connection, USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, or other wired orwireless, digital or analog, interface or connection, mesh or Digi®networking.

According to one or more aspects of the present embodiments, when aperson (may be referred to interchangeably as “visitor”) arrives at theA/V recording and communication device 100, the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 detects the visitor's presence and beginscapturing video images within a field of view of the camera 102. The A/Vrecording and communication device 100 may also capture audio throughthe microphone 104. The A/V recording and communication device 100 maydetect the visitor's presence using a motion sensor, and/or by detectingthat the visitor has depressed the button on the A/V recording andcommunication device 100.

In response to the detection of the visitor, the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 sends an alert to the user's client device 114(FIG. 1) via the user's network 110 and the network 112. The A/Vrecording and communication device 100 also sends streaming video, andmay also send streaming audio, to the user's client device 114. If theuser answers the alert, two-way audio communication may then occurbetween the visitor and the user through the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 and the user's client device 114. The user mayview the visitor throughout the duration of the call, but the visitorcannot see the user (unless the A/V recording and communication device100 includes a display, which it may in some of the presentembodiments).

The video images captured by the camera 102 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 (and the audio captured by the microphone 104)may be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on the remote storage device116 (FIG. 1). In some of the present embodiments, the video and/or audiomay be recorded on the remote storage device 116 even if the userchooses to ignore the alert sent to his or her client device 114.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the system may further comprise abackend API 120 including one or more components. A backend API(application programming interface) may comprise, for example, a server(e.g. a real server, or a virtual machine, or a machine running in acloud infrastructure as a service), or multiple servers networkedtogether, exposing at least one API to client(s) accessing it. Theseservers may include components such as application servers (e.g.software servers), depending upon what other components are included,such as a caching layer, or database layers, or other components. Abackend API may, for example, comprise many such applications, each ofwhich communicate with one another using their public APIs. In some ofthe present embodiments, the API backend may hold the bulk of the userdata and offer the user management capabilities, leaving the clients tohave very limited state.

The backend API 120 illustrated FIG. 1 may include one or more APIs. AnAPI is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software andapplications. An API expresses a software component in terms of itsoperations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types, definingfunctionalities that are independent of their respectiveimplementations, which allows definitions and implementations to varywithout compromising the interface. Advantageously, an API may provide aprogrammer with access to an application's functionality without theprogrammer needing to modify the application itself, or even understandhow the application works. An API may be for a web-based system, anoperating system, or a database system, and it provides facilities todevelop applications for that system using a given programming language.In addition to accessing databases or computer hardware like hard diskdrives or video cards, an API may ease the work of programming GUIcomponents. For example, an API may facilitate integration of newfeatures into existing applications (a so-called “plug-in API”). An APImay also assist otherwise distinct applications with sharing data, whichmay help to integrate and enhance the functionalities of theapplications.

The backend API 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include one ormore services (also referred to as network services). A network serviceis an application that provides data storage, manipulation,presentation, communication, and/or other capability. Network servicesare often implemented using a client-server architecture based onapplication-layer network protocols. Each service may be provided by aserver component running on one or more computers (such as a dedicatedserver computer offering multiple services) and accessed via a networkby client components running on other devices. However, the client andserver components may both be run on the same machine. Clients andservers may have a user interface, and sometimes other hardwareassociated with them.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for streaming and storingA/V content from the A/V recording and communication device 100according to various aspects of the present disclosure. At block B260,the A/V recording and communication device 100 detects the visitor'spresence and captures video images within a field of view of the camera102. The A/V recording and communication device 100 may also captureaudio through the microphone 104. As described above, the A/V recordingand communication device 100 may detect the visitor's presence bydetecting motion using the camera 102 and/or a motion sensor, and/or bydetecting that the visitor has pressed a front button of the A/Vrecording and communication device 100 (if the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 is a doorbell). Also as described above, thevideo recording/capture may begin when the visitor is detected, or maybegin earlier, as described below.

At block B262, a communication module of the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 sends a request, via the user's network 110 andthe network 112, to a device in the network 112. For example, thenetwork device to which the request is sent may be a server such as theserver 118. The server 118 may comprise a computer program and/or amachine that waits for requests from other machines or software(clients) and responds to them. A server typically processes data. Onepurpose of a server is to share data and/or hardware and/or softwareresources among clients. This architecture is called the client-servermodel. The clients may run on the same computer or may connect to theserver over a network. Examples of computing servers include databaseservers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, gameservers, and application servers. The term server may be construedbroadly to include any computerized process that shares a resource toone or more client processes. In another example, the network device towhich the request is sent may be an API such as the backend API 120,which is described above.

In response to the request, at block B264 the network device may connectthe A/V recording and communication device 100 to the user's clientdevice 114 through the user's network 110 and the network 112. At blockB266, the A/V recording and communication device 100 may recordavailable audio and/or video data using the camera 102, the microphone104, and/or any other device/sensor available. At block B268, the audioand/or video data is transmitted (streamed) from the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 to the user's client device 114 via the user'snetwork 110 and the network 112. At block B270, the user may receive anotification on his or her client device 114 with a prompt to eitheraccept or deny the call.

At block B272, the process determines whether the user has accepted ordenied the call. If the user denies the notification, then the processadvances to block B274, where the audio and/or video data is recordedand stored at a cloud server. The session then ends at block B276 andthe connection between the A/V recording and communication device 100and the user's client device 114 is terminated. If, however, the useraccepts the notification, then at block B278 the user communicates withthe visitor through the user's client device 114 while audio and/orvideo data captured by the camera 102, the microphone 104, and/or otherdevices/sensors is streamed to the user's client device 114. At the endof the call, the user may terminate the connection between the user'sclient device 114 and the A/V recording and communication device 100 andthe session ends at block B276. In some of the present embodiments, theaudio and/or video data may be recorded and stored at a cloud server(block B274) even if the user accepts the notification and communicateswith the visitor through the user's client device 114.

FIGS. 3-13 illustrate one embodiment of a low-power-consumption A/Vrecording and communication device 130 according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagramillustrating various components of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 and their relationships to one another. For example, the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 includes a pair of terminals 131,132 configured to be connected to a source of external AC(alternating-current) power, such as a household AC power supply 134(may also be referred to as AC mains). The AC power 134 may have avoltage in the range of 16-24 V AC, for example. The incoming AC power134 may be converted to DC (direct-current) by an AC/DC rectifier 136.An output of the AC/DC rectifier 136 may be connected to an input of aDC/DC converter 138, which may step down the voltage from the output ofthe AC/DC rectifier 136 from 16-24 VDC to a lower voltage of about 5VDC, for example. In various embodiments, the output of the DC/DCconverter 138 may be in a range of from about 2.5 V to about 7.5 V, forexample.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the output of the DC/DC converter 138is connected to a power manager 140, which may comprise an integratedcircuit including a processor core, memory, and/or programmableinput/output peripherals. In one non-limiting example, the power manager140 may be an off-the-shelf component, such as the BQ24773 chipmanufactured by Texas Instruments. As described in detail below, thepower manager 140 controls, among other things, an amount of power drawnfrom the external power supply 134, as well as an amount of supplementalpower drawn from a battery 142, to power the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The power manager 140 may, for example, limitthe amount of power drawn from the external power supply 134 so that athreshold power draw is not exceeded. In one non-limiting example, thethreshold power, as measured at the output of the DC/DC converter 138,may be equal to 1.4 A. The power manager 140 may also control an amountof power drawn from the external power supply 134 and directed to thebattery 142 for recharging of the battery 142. An output of the powermanager 140 is connected to a power sequencer 144, which controls asequence of power delivery to other components of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, including a communication module 146, a frontbutton 148, a microphone 150, a speaker driver 151, a speaker 152, anaudio CODEC (COder-DECoder) 153, a camera 154, an infrared (IR) lightsource 156, an IR cut filter 158, a processor 160 (may also be referredto as a controller 160), a plurality of light indicators 162, and acontroller 164 for the light indicators 162. Each of these components isdescribed in detail below. The power sequencer 144 may comprise anintegrated circuit including a processor core, memory, and/orprogrammable input/output peripherals. In one non-limiting example, thepower sequencer 144 may be an off-the-shelf component, such as theRT5024 chip manufactured by Richtek.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 further comprises an electronic switch 166 that closes whenthe front button 148 is depressed. When the electronic switch 166closes, power from the AC power source 134 is diverted through asignaling device 168 that is external to the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 to cause the signaling device 168 to emit asound, as further described below. In one non-limiting example, theelectronic switch 166 may be a triac (triode AC switch) device. The A/Vrecording and communication device 130 further comprises a reset button170 configured to initiate a hard reset of the processor 160, as furtherdescribed below.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the processor 160 may perform dataprocessing and various other functions, as described below. Theprocessor 160 may comprise an integrated circuit including a processorcore, memory 172, non-volatile memory 174, and/or programmableinput/output peripherals (not shown). The memory 172 may comprise, forexample, DDR3 (double data rate type three synchronous dynamicrandom-access memory). The non-volatile memory 174 may comprise, forexample, NAND flash memory. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thememory 172 and the non-volatile memory 174 are illustrated within thebox representing the processor 160. It is to be understood that theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and in some ofthe present embodiments the memory 172 and/or the non-volatile memory174 are not necessarily physically incorporated with the processor 160.The memory 172 and/or the non-volatile memory 174, regardless of theirphysical location, may be shared by one or more other components (inaddition to the processor 160) of the present A/V recording andcommunication device 130.

The transfer of digital audio between the user and a visitor may becompressed and decompressed using the audio CODEC 153, which isoperatively coupled to the processor 160. When the visitor speaks, audiofrom the visitor is compressed by the audio CODEC 153, digital audiodata is sent through the communication module 146 to the network 112 viathe user's network 110, routed by the server 118 and delivered to theuser's client device 114. When the user speaks, after being transferredthrough the network 112, the user's network 110, and the communicationmodule 146, the digital audio data is decompressed by the audio CODEC153 and emitted to the visitor through the speaker 152, which is drivenby the speaker driver 151.

With further reference to FIG. 3, some of the present embodiments mayinclude a shunt 176 connected in parallel with the signaling device 168.The shunt 176 facilitates the ability of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 to draw power from the AC power source 134without inadvertently triggering the signaling device 168. The shunt176, during normal standby operation, presents a relatively lowelectrical impedance, such as a few ohms, across the terminals of thesignaling device 168. Most of the current drawn by the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, therefore, flows through the shunt 176, andnot through the signaling device 168. The shunt 176, however, containselectronic circuitry (described below) that switches the shunt 176between a state of low impedance, such as a few ohms, for example, and astate of high impedance, such as >1K ohms, for example. When the frontbutton 148 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 is pressed,the electronic switch 166 closes, causing the voltage from the AC powersource 134 to be impressed mostly across the shunt 176 and the signalingdevice 168 in parallel, while a small amount of voltage, such as about1V, is impressed across the electronic switch 166. The circuitry in theshunt 176 senses this voltage, and switches the shunt 176 to the highimpedance state, so that power from the AC power source 134 is divertedthrough the signaling device 168. The diverted AC power 134 is above thethreshold necessary to cause the signaling device 168 to emit a sound.Pressing the front button 148 of the device 130 therefore causes thesignaling device 168 to “ring,” alerting any person(s) within thestructure to which the device 130 is mounted that there is a visitor atthe front door (or at another location corresponding to the location ofthe device 130). In one non-limiting example, the electronic switch 166may be a triac device.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the A/V recording and communication device130 further comprises a housing 178 having an enclosure 180 (FIG. 6), aback plate 182 secured to the rear of the enclosure 180, and a shell 184overlying the enclosure 180. With reference to FIG. 6, the shell 184includes a recess 186 that is sized and shaped to receive the enclosure180 in a close fitting engagement, such that outer surfaces of theenclosure 180 abut conforming inner surfaces of the shell 184. Exteriordimensions of the enclosure 180 may be closely matched with interiordimensions of the shell 184 such that friction maintains the shell 184about the enclosure 180. Alternatively, or in addition, the enclosure180 and/or the shell 184 may include mating features 188, such as one ormore tabs, grooves, slots, posts, etc. to assist in maintaining theshell 184 about the enclosure 180. The back plate 182 is sized andshaped such that the edges of the back plate 182 extend outward from theedges of the enclosure 180, thereby creating a lip 190 against which theshell 184 abuts when the shell 184 is mated with the enclosure 180, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In some of the present embodiments, multipleshells 184 in different colors may be provided so that the end user maycustomize the appearance of his or her A/V recording and communicationdevice 130. For example, the A/V recording and communication device 130may be packaged and sold with multiple shells 184 in different colors inthe same package.

With reference to FIG. 4, a front surface of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 includes the button 148 (may also be referredto as front button 148, FIG. 3), which is operatively connected to theprocessor 160. In a process similar to that described above withreference to FIG. 2, when a visitor presses the front button 148, analert may be sent to the user's client device to notify the user thatsomeone is at his or her front door (or at another locationcorresponding to the location of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130). With further reference to FIG. 4, the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 further includes the camera 154, which isoperatively connected to the processor 160, and which is located behinda shield 192. As described in detail below, the camera 154 is configuredto capture video images from within its field of view. Those videoimages may be streamed to the user's client device and/or uploaded to aremote network device for later viewing according to a process similarto that described above with reference to FIG. 2.

With reference to FIG. 5, a pair of terminal screws 194 extends throughthe back plate 182. The terminal screws 194 are connected at their innerends to the terminals 131, 132 (FIG. 3) within the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The terminal screws 194 are configured toreceive electrical wires to connect to the A/V recording andcommunication device 130, through the terminals 131, 132, to thehousehold AC power supply 134 of the structure on which the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 is mounted. In the illustratedembodiment, the terminal screws 194 are located within a recessedportion 196 of the rear surface 198 of the back plate 182 so that theterminal screws 194 do not protrude from the outer envelope of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130. The A/V recording andcommunication device 130 may thus be mounted to a mounting surface withthe rear surface 198 of the back plate 182 abutting the mountingsurface. The back plate 182 includes apertures 200 adjacent its upperand lower edges to accommodate mounting hardware, such as screws (notshown), for securing the back plate 182 (and thus the A/V recording andcommunication device 130) to the mounting surface. With reference toFIG. 6, the enclosure 180 includes corresponding apertures 202 adjacentits upper and lower edges that align with the apertures 200 in the backplate 182 to accommodate the mounting hardware. In certain embodiments,the A/V recording and communication device 130 may include a mountingplate or bracket (not shown) to facilitate securing the A/V recordingand communication device 130 to the mounting surface.

With further reference to FIG. 6, the shell 184 includes a centralopening 204 in a front surface. The central opening 204 is sized andshaped to accommodate the shield 192. In the illustrated embodiment, theshield 192 is substantially rectangular, and includes a central opening206 through which the front button 148 protrudes. The shield 192 definesa plane parallel to and in front of a front surface 208 of the enclosure180. When the shell 184 is mated with the enclosure 180, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 10, the shield 192 resides within the central opening 204 ofthe shell 184 such that a front surface 210 of the shield 192 issubstantially flush with a front surface 212 of the shell 184 and thereis little or no gap (FIG. 4) between the outer edges of the shield 192and the inner edges of the central opening 204 in the shell 184.

With further reference to FIG. 6, the shield 192 includes an upperportion 214 (located above and to the sides of the front button 148) anda lower portion 216 (located below and to the sides of the front button148). The upper and lower portions 214, 216 of the shield 192 may beseparate pieces, and may comprise different materials. The upper portion214 of the shield 192 may be transparent or translucent so that it doesnot interfere with the field of view of the camera 154. For example, incertain embodiments the upper portion 214 of the shield 192 may compriseglass or plastic. As described in detail below, the microphone 150,which is operatively connected to the processor 160, is located behindthe upper portion 214 of the shield 192. The upper portion 214,therefore, may include an opening 218 that facilitates the passage ofsound through the shield 192 so that the microphone 150 is better ableto pick up sounds from the area around the A/V recording andcommunication device 130.

The lower portion 216 of the shield 192 may comprise a material that issubstantially transparent to infrared (IR) light, but partially ormostly opaque with respect to light in the visible spectrum. Forexample, in certain embodiments the lower portion 216 of the shield 192may comprise a plastic, such as polycarbonate. The lower portion 216 ofthe shield 192, therefore, does not interfere with transmission of IRlight from the IR light source 156, which is located behind the lowerportion 216. As described in detail below, the IR light source 156 andthe IR cut filter 158, which are both operatively connected to theprocessor 160, facilitate “night vision” functionality of the camera154.

The upper portion 214 and/or the lower portion 216 of the shield 192 mayabut an underlying cover 220 (FIG. 10), which may be integral with theenclosure 180 or may be a separate piece. The cover 220, which may beopaque, may include a first opening 222 corresponding to the location ofthe camera 154, a second opening (not shown) corresponding to thelocation of the microphone 150 and the opening 218 in the upper portion214 of the shield 192, and a third opening (not shown) corresponding tothe location of the IR light source 156.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate various internal components of the A/V recordingand communication device 130. FIGS. 7-9 are front perspective views ofthe device 130 with the shell 184 and the enclosure 180 removed, whileFIG. 10 is a right-side cross-sectional view of the device 130 takenthrough the line 10-10 in FIG. 4. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, theA/V recording and communication device 130 further comprises a mainprinted circuit board (PCB) 224 and a front PCB 226. With reference toFIG. 8, the front PCB 226 comprises a button actuator 228. Withreference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, the front button 148 is located infront of the button actuator 228. The front button 148 includes a stem230 (FIG. 10) that extends into the housing 178 to contact the buttonactuator 228. When the front button 148 is pressed, the stem 230depresses the button actuator 228, thereby closing the electronic switch166 (FIG. 8), as described below.

With reference to FIG. 8, the front PCB 226 further comprises the lightindicators 162, which may illuminate when the front button 148 of thedevice 130 is pressed. In the illustrated embodiment, the lightindicators 162 comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs 162) that aresurface mounted to the front surface of the front PCB 226 and arearranged in a circle around the button actuator 228. The presentembodiments are not limited to the light indicators 162 being LEDs, andin alternative embodiments the light indicators 162 may comprise anyother type of light-emitting device. The present embodiments are alsonot limited by the number of light indicators 162 shown in FIG. 8, norby the pattern in which they are arranged.

With reference to FIG. 7, the device 130 further comprises a light pipe232. The light pipe 232 is a transparent or translucent ring thatencircles the front button 148. With reference to FIG. 4, the light pipe232 resides in an annular space between the front button 148 and thecentral opening 206 in the shield 192, with a front surface 234 of thelight pipe 232 being substantially flush with the front surface 210 ofthe shield 192. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 10, a rear portion oflight pipe 232 includes a plurality of posts 236 whose positionscorrespond to the positions of the LEDs 162. When the LEDs 162 areilluminated, light is transmitted through the posts 236 and the body ofthe light pipe 232 so that the light is visible at the front surface 234of the light pipe 232. The LEDs 162 and the light pipe 232 thus providea ring of illumination around the front button 148. The light pipe 232may comprise a plastic, for example, or any other suitable materialcapable of transmitting light.

The LEDs 162 and the light pipe 232 may function as visual indicatorsfor a visitor and/or a user. For example, the LEDs 162 may illuminateupon activation or stay illuminated continuously. In one aspect, theLEDs 162 may change color to indicate that the front button 148 has beenpressed. The LEDs 162 may also indicate that the battery 142 needsrecharging, or that the battery 142 is currently being charged, or thatcharging of the battery 142 has been completed. The LEDs 162 mayindicate that a connection to the user's wireless (and/or wired) networkis good, limited, poor, or not connected. The LEDs 162 may be used toguide the user through setup or installation steps using visual cues,potentially coupled with audio cues emitted from the speaker 152.

With further reference to FIG. 7, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 further comprises a rechargeable battery 142. As described infurther detail below, the A/V recording and communication device 130 isconnected to an external power source 134 (FIG. 3), such as AC mains.The A/V recording and communication device 130 is primarily powered bythe external power source 134, but may also draw power from therechargeable battery 142 so as not to exceed a threshold amount of powerfrom the external power source 134, to thereby avoid inadvertentlysounding the signaling device 168. With reference to FIG. 3, the battery142 is operatively connected to the power manager 140. As describedbelow, the power manager 140 controls an amount of power drawn from thebattery 142 to supplement the power drawn from the external AC powersource 134 to power the A/V recording and communication device 130 whensupplemental power is needed. The power manager 140 also controlsrecharging of the battery 142 using power drawn from the external powersource 134. The battery 142 may comprise, for example, a lithium-ionbattery, or any other type of rechargeable battery.

With further reference to FIG. 7, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 further comprises the camera 154. The camera 154 is coupledto a front surface of the front PCB 226, and includes a lens 238 and animaging processor 240 (FIG. 9). The camera lens 238 may be a lenscapable of focusing light into the camera 154 so that clear images maybe captured. The camera 154 may comprise, for example, a high definition(HD) video camera, such as one capable of capturing video images at animage display resolution of 720p or better. In certain of the presentembodiments, the camera 154 may be used to detect motion within itsfield of view, as described below.

With further reference to FIG. 7, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 further comprises an infrared (IR) light source 242. In theillustrated embodiment, the IR light source 242 comprises an IRlight-emitting diode (LED) 242 coupled to an IR LED printed circuitboard (PCB) 244. In alternative embodiments, the IR LED 242 may notcomprise a separate PCB 244, and may, for example, be coupled to thefront PCB 226.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 10, the IR LED PCB 244 is located belowthe front button 148 (FIG. 7) and behind the lower portion 216 of theshield 192 (FIG. 10). As described above, the lower portion 216 of theshield 192 is transparent to IR light, but may be opaque with respect tolight in the visible spectrum. In alternative embodiments of the IR LEDPCB 244, the IR LED PCB 244 may include more than one IR LED 242. Forexample, the IR LED PCB 244 may include three IR LEDs 242, or any othernumber of IR LEDs 242. In embodiments including more than one IR LED242, the size of the third opening in the cover may be increased toaccommodate the larger size of the IR LED PCB 244.

The IR LED 242 may be triggered to activate when a low level of ambientlight is detected. When activated, IR light emitted from the IR LED 242illuminates the camera 154's field of view. The camera 154, which may beconfigured to detect IR light, may then capture the IR light emitted bythe IR LED 242 as it reflects off objects within the camera 154's fieldof view, so that the A/V recording and communication device 130 mayclearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”).

With reference to FIG. 9, the A/V recording and communication device 130further comprises an IR cut filter 158. The IR cut filter 158 is amechanical shutter that may be selectively positioned between the lens238 and the image sensor of the camera 154. During daylight hours, orwhenever there is a sufficient amount of ambient light, the IR cutfilter 158 is positioned between the lens 238 and the image sensor tofilter out IR light so that it does not distort the colors of images asthe human eye sees them. During nighttime hours, or whenever there islittle to no ambient light, the IR cut filter 158 is withdrawn from thespace between the lens 238 and the image sensor, so that the camera 154is sensitive to IR light (“night vision”). In some of the presentembodiments, the camera 154 acts as a light detector for use incontrolling the current state of the IR cut filter 158 and turning theIR LED 242 on and off. Using the camera 154 as a light detector isfacilitated in some of the present embodiments by the fact that the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 is powered by a connection to ACmains, and the camera 154, therefore, is always powered on. In otherembodiments, however, the A/V recording and communication device 130 mayinclude a light sensor separate from the camera 154 for use incontrolling the IR cut filter 158 and the IR LED 242.

With reference back to FIG. 6, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 further comprises a reset button 170. The reset button 170contacts a reset button actuator 246 (FIG. 8) coupled to the front PCB226. When the reset button 170 is pressed, it may contact the resetbutton actuator 246, which may trigger the erasing of any data stored atthe non-volatile memory 174 and/or at the memory 172 (FIG. 3), and/ormay trigger a reboot of the processor 160. In some of the presentembodiments, the reset button 170 may also be used in a process toactivate the A/V recording and communication device 130, as describedbelow.

FIGS. 11-13 further illustrate internal components of the A/V recordingand communication device 130. FIGS. 11-13 are rear perspective views ofthe device 130 with the back plate 182 and additional componentsremoved. For example, in FIG. 11 the back plate 182 is removed, while inFIG. 12 the back plate 182 and the main PCB 224 are removed, and in FIG.13 the back plate 182, the main PCB 224, and the front PCB 226 areremoved. With reference to FIG. 11, several components are coupled tothe rear surface of the main PCB 224, including the communication module146, the processor 160, memory 172, and non-volatile memory 174. Thefunctions of each of these components are described below. Withreference to FIG. 12, several components are coupled to the rear surfaceof the front PCB 226, including the power manager 140, the powersequencer 144, the AC/DC rectifier 136, the DC/DC converter 138, and thecontroller 164 for the light indicators 162. The functions of each ofthese components are also described below. With reference to FIG. 13,several components are visible within the enclosure 180, including themicrophone 150, a speaker chamber 248 (in which the speaker 152 islocated), and an antenna 250 for the communication module 146. Thefunctions of each of these components are also described below.

With reference to FIG. 7, the antenna 250 is coupled to the frontsurface of the main PCB 224 and operatively connected to thecommunication module 146, which is coupled to the rear surface of themain PCB 224 (FIG. 11). The microphone 150, which may also be coupled tothe front surface of the main PCB 224, is located near the opening 218(FIG. 4) in the upper portion 214 of the shield 192 so that soundsemanating from the area around the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 may pass through the opening 218 and be detected by themicrophone 150. With reference to FIG. 13, the speaker chamber 248 islocated near the bottom of the enclosure 180. The speaker chamber 248comprises a hollow enclosure in which the speaker 152 is located. Thehollow speaker chamber 248 amplifies the sounds made by the speaker 152so that they may be better heard by a visitor in the area near the A/Vrecording and communication device 130. With reference to FIGS. 5 and13, the lower surface 252 of the shell 184 and the lower surface (notshown) of the enclosure 180 may include an acoustical opening 254through which the sounds made by the speaker 152 can pass so that theycan be better heard by a visitor in the area near the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the acousticalopening 254 is shaped generally as a rectangle having a length extendingsubstantially across the lower surface 252 of the shell 184 (and alsothe enclosure 180). The illustrated shape is, however, just one example.With reference to FIG. 5, the lower surface 252 of the shell 184 mayfurther include an opening 256 for receiving a security screw (notshown). The security screw may extend through the opening 256 and into asimilarly located opening in the enclosure 180 to secure the shell 184to the enclosure 180. If the A/V recording and communication device 130is mounted to a mounting bracket (not shown), the security screw mayalso maintain the device 130 on the mounting bracket.

With reference to FIG. 13, the A/V recording and communication device130 may further include a battery heater 258. The present A/V recordingand communication device 130 is configured for outdoor use, including incold climates. Cold temperatures, however, can cause negativeperformance issues for rechargeable batteries, such as reduced energycapacity, increased internal resistance, reduced ability to chargewithout damage, and reduced ability to supply load current. The batteryheater 258 helps to keep the rechargeable battery 142 warm in order toreduce or eliminate the foregoing negative performance issues. In theillustrated embodiment, the battery heater 258 comprises a substantiallyflat, thin sheet abutting a side surface of the rechargeable battery142. The battery heater 258 may comprise, for example, an electricallyresistive heating element that produces heat when electrical current ispassed through it. The battery heater 258 may thus be operativelycoupled to the power manager 140 and/or the power sequencer 144 (FIG.12). In some of the present embodiments, the rechargeable battery 142may include a thermally sensitive resistor (“thermistor,” not shown)operatively connected to the processor 160 so that the battery 142'stemperature can be monitored and the amount of power supplied to thebattery heater 258 can be adaptively controlled to keep the rechargeablebattery 142 within a desired temperature range.

As described above, the present embodiments advantageously limit thepower consumption of the A/V recording and communication doorbell to anamount that is below the threshold necessary for causing the signalingdevice to sound (except when the front button of the doorbell ispressed). The present A/V recording and communication doorbell can thusbe connected to the existing household AC power supply and the existingsignaling device without causing inadvertent sounding of the signalingdevice.

Several advantages flow from the ability of the present embodiments tobe connected to the existing household AC power supply. For example, thecamera of the present A/V recording and communication doorbell can bepowered on continuously. In a typical battery-powered A/V recording andcommunication doorbell, the camera is powered on only part of the timeso that the battery does not drain too rapidly. The present embodiments,by contrast, do not rely on a battery as a primary (or sole) powersupply, and are thus able to keep the camera powered on continuously.Because the camera is able to be powered on continuously, it can alwaysbe recording, and recorded footage can be continuously stored in arolling buffer or sliding window. In some of the present embodiments,about 10-15 seconds of recorded footage can be continuously stored inthe rolling buffer or sliding window. Also because the camera is able tobe powered on continuously, it can be used for motion detection, thuseliminating any need for a separate motion detection device, such as apassive infrared sensor (PIR). Eliminating the PIR simplifies the designof the A/V recording and communication doorbell and enables the doorbellto be made more compact, although in some alternative embodiments thedoorbell may include one or more PIRs and/or other motion detectors,heat source detectors, etc. Also because the camera is able to bepowered on continuously, it can be used as a light detector for use incontrolling the current state of the IR cut filter and turning the IRLED on and off. Using the camera as a light detector eliminates any needfor a separate light detector, thereby further simplifying the design ofthe A/V recording and communication doorbell and enabling the doorbellto be made even more compact, although in some alternative embodimentsthe doorbell may include a separate light detector.

FIGS. 14-18 illustrate another embodiment of a wireless audio/video(A/V) communication doorbell 330 according to an aspect of presentembodiments. FIG. 14 is a front view, FIG. 15 is a rear view, FIG. 16 isa right-side cross-sectional view, and FIG. 17 is an exploded view ofthe doorbell 330 and a mounting bracket 337. As described below, thedoorbell 330 is configured to be connected to an external power source,such as household wiring, but is also configured to be powered by anon-board rechargeable battery instead of, or in addition to, theexternal power source.

The doorbell 330 includes a faceplate 335 mounted to a back plate 339(FIG. 15). With reference to FIG. 16, the faceplate 335 has asubstantially flat profile. The faceplate 335 may comprise any suitablematerial, including, without limitation, metals, such as brushedaluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics. The faceplate335 protects the internal contents of the doorbell 330 and serves as anexterior front surface of the doorbell 330.

With reference to FIG. 14, the faceplate 335 includes a button 333 and alight pipe 336. The button 333 and the light pipe 336 may have variousprofiles that may or may not match the profile of the faceplate 335. Thelight pipe 336 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, transparent plastic, that is capable of allowing lightproduced within the doorbell 330 to pass through. The light may beproduced by one or more light-emitting components, such aslight-emitting diodes (LED's), contained within the doorbell 330, asfurther described below. The button 333 may make contact with a buttonactuator (not shown) located within the doorbell 330 when the button 333is pressed by a visitor. When pressed, the button 333 may trigger one ormore functions of the doorbell 330, as further described below.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the doorbell 330 further includes anenclosure 331 that engages the faceplate 335. In the illustratedembodiment, the enclosure 331 abuts an upper edge 335T (FIG. 14) of thefaceplate 335, but in alternative embodiments one or more gaps betweenthe enclosure 331 and the faceplate 335 may facilitate the passage ofsound and/or light through the doorbell 330. The enclosure 331 maycomprise any suitable material, but in some of the present embodimentsthe material of the enclosure 331 preferably permits infrared light topass through from inside the doorbell 330 to the environment and viceversa. The doorbell 330 further includes a lens 332. In some of thepresent embodiments, the lens may comprise a Fresnel lens, which may bepatterned to deflect incoming light into one or more infrared sensorslocated within the doorbell 330. The doorbell 330 further includes acamera 334, which captures video data when activated, as describedbelow.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the doorbell 330, according to an aspect ofthe present embodiments. As illustrated, the enclosure 331 may extendfrom the front of the doorbell 330 around to the back thereof and mayfit snugly around a lip of the back plate 339. The back plate 339 maycomprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, metals,such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics.The back plate 339 protects the internal contents of the doorbell 330and serves as an exterior rear surface of the doorbell 330. Thefaceplate 335 may extend from the front of the doorbell 330 and at leastpartially wrap around the back plate 339, thereby allowing a coupledconnection between the faceplate 335 and the back plate 339. The backplate 339 may have indentations in its structure to facilitate thecoupling.

With further reference to FIG. 15, spring contacts 340 may provide powerto the doorbell 330 when mated with other conductive contacts connectedto a power source. The spring contacts 340 may comprise any suitableconductive material, including, without limitation, copper, and may becapable of deflecting when contacted by an inward force, for example theinsertion of a mating element. The doorbell 330 further comprises aconnector 360, such as a micro-USB or other connector, whereby powerand/or data may be supplied to and from the components within thedoorbell 330. A reset button 359 may be located on the back plate 339,and may make contact with a button actuator (not shown) located withinthe doorbell 330 when the reset button 359 is pressed. When the resetbutton 359 is pressed, it may trigger one or more functions, asdescribed below.

FIG. 16 is a right side cross-sectional view of the doorbell 330 withoutthe mounting bracket 337. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens 332 issubstantially coplanar with the front surface 331F of the enclosure 331.In alternative embodiments, the lens 332 may be recessed within theenclosure 331 or may protrude outward from the enclosure 331. The camera334 is coupled to a camera printed circuit board (PCB) 347, and a lens334 a of the camera 334 protrudes through an opening in the enclosure331. The camera lens 334 a may be a lens capable of focusing light intothe camera 334 so that clear images may be taken.

The camera PCB 347 may be secured within the doorbell with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.The camera PCB 347 comprises various components that enable thefunctionality of the camera 334 of the doorbell 330, as described below.Infrared light-emitting components, such as infrared LED's 368, arecoupled to the camera PCB 347 and may be triggered to activate when alight sensor detects a low level of ambient light. When activated, theinfrared LED's 368 may emit infrared light through the enclosure 331and/or the camera 334 out into the ambient environment. The camera 334,which may be configured to detect infrared light, may then capture thelight emitted by the infrared LED's 368 as it reflects off objectswithin the camera's 334 field of view, so that the doorbell 330 mayclearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”).

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the doorbell 330 further comprisesa front PCB 346, which in the illustrated embodiment resides in a lowerportion of the doorbell 330 adjacent a battery 366. The front PCB 346may be secured within the doorbell 330 with any suitable fasteners, suchas screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The front PCB346 comprises various components that enable the functionality of theaudio and light components, as further described below. The battery 366may provide power to the doorbell 330 components while receiving powerfrom the spring contacts 340, thereby engaging in a trickle-chargemethod of power consumption and supply. Alternatively, the doorbell 330may draw power directly from the spring contacts 340 while relying onthe battery 366 only when the spring contacts 340 are not providing thepower necessary for all functions. Still further, the battery 366 maycomprise the sole source of power for the doorbell 330. In suchembodiments, the spring contacts 340 may not be connected to a source ofpower. When the battery 366 is depleted of its charge, it may berecharged, such as by connecting a power source to the connector 360.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the doorbell 330 further comprisesa power PCB 348, which in the illustrated embodiment resides behind thecamera PCB 347. The power PCB 348 may be secured within the doorbell 330with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interferenceconnections, adhesives, etc. The power PCB 348 comprises variouscomponents that enable the functionality of the power and device-controlcomponents, as further described below.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the doorbell 330 further comprisesa communication module 364 coupled to the power PCB 348. Thecommunication module 364 facilitates communication with client devicesin one or more remote locations, as further described below. Theconnector 360 may protrude outward from the power PCB 348 and extendthrough a hole in the back plate 339. The doorbell 330 further comprisespassive infrared (PIR) sensors 344, which are secured on or within a PIRsensor holder 343, and the assembly resides behind the lens 332. In someof the present embodiments, the doorbell 330 may comprise three PIRsensors 344, as further described below, but in other embodiments anynumber of PIR sensors 344 may be provided. In some of the presentembodiments, one or more of the PIR sensors 344 may comprise apyroelectric infrared sensor. The PIR sensor holder 343 may be securedto the doorbell 330 with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, orinterference connections, adhesives, etc. The PIR sensors 344 may be anytype of sensor capable of detecting and communicating the presence of aheat source within their field of view. Further, alternative embodimentsmay comprise one or more motion sensors either in place of or inaddition to the PIR sensors 344. The motion sensors may be configured todetect motion using any methodology, such as a methodology that does notrely on detecting the presence of a heat source within a field of view.

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the doorbell 330 and the mounting bracket337 according to an aspect of the present embodiments. The mountingbracket 337 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface (notshown) of a structure, such as a home or an office. FIG. 17 shows thefront side 337F of the mounting bracket 337. The mounting bracket 337 isconfigured to be mounted to the mounting surface such that the back side337B thereof faces the mounting surface. In certain embodiments, themounting bracket 337 may be mounted to surfaces of various composition,including, without limitation, wood, concrete, stucco, brick, vinylsiding, aluminum siding, etc., with any suitable fasteners, such asscrews, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The doorbell 330may be coupled to the mounting bracket 337 with any suitable fasteners,such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 17, the illustrated embodiment of themounting bracket 337 includes the terminal screws 338. The terminalscrews 338 are configured to receive electrical wires adjacent themounting surface of the structure upon which the mounting bracket 337 ismounted, so that the doorbell 330 may receive electrical power from thestructure's electrical system. The terminal screws 338 are electricallyconnected to electrical contacts 377 of the mounting bracket. If poweris supplied to the terminal screws 338, then the electrical contacts 377also receive power through the terminal screws 338. The electricalcontacts 377 may comprise any suitable conductive material, including,without limitation, copper, and may protrude slightly from the face ofthe mounting bracket 337 so that they may mate with the spring contacts340 located on the back plate 339.

With continued reference to FIG. 17, the mounting bracket 337 furthercomprises a bracket PCB 349. The bracket PCB 349 is situated outside thedoorbell 330, and is therefore configured for various sensors thatmeasure ambient conditions, such as an accelerometer 350, a barometer351, a humidity sensor 352, and a temperature sensor 353 (FIG. 18). Thefunctions of these components are discussed in more detail below. Thebracket PCB 349 may be secured to the mounting bracket 337 with anysuitable fasteners, such as screws, or interference connections,adhesives, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 17, the faceplate 335 may extend fromthe bottom of the doorbell 330 up to just below the camera 334, andconnect to the back plate 339 as described above. The lens 332 mayextend and curl partially around the side of the doorbell 330. Theenclosure 331 may extend and curl around the side and top of thedoorbell 330, and may be coupled to the back plate 339 as describedabove. The camera 334 may protrude slightly through the enclosure 331,thereby giving it a wider field of view. The mounting bracket 337 maycouple with the back plate 339 such that they contact each other atvarious points in a common plane of contact, thereby creating anassembly including the doorbell 330 and the mounting bracket 337. Thecouplings described in this paragraph, and elsewhere, may be secured by,for example and without limitation, screws, interference fittings,adhesives, or other fasteners. Interference fittings may refer to a typeof connection where a material relies on pressure and/or gravity coupledwith the material's physical strength to support a connection to adifferent element.

FIG. 18 is a top view and FIG. 19 is a front view of a passive infraredsensor assembly 379 including the lens 332, the passive infrared sensorholder 343, the passive infrared sensors 344, and a flexible powercircuit 345. The passive infrared sensor holder 343 is configured tomount the passive infrared sensors 344 facing out through the lens 332at varying angles, thereby allowing the passive infrared sensor 344field of view to be expanded to 180° or more and also broken up intovarious zones, as further described below. The passive infrared sensorholder 343 may include one or more faces 378, including a center face378C and two side faces 378S to either side of the center face 378C.With reference to FIG. 19, each of the faces 378 defines an opening 381within or on which the passive infrared sensors 344 may be mounted. Inalternative embodiments, the faces 378 may not include openings 381, butmay instead comprise solid flat faces upon which the passive infraredsensors 344 may be mounted. Generally, the faces 378 may be any physicalstructure capable of housing and/or securing the passive infraredsensors 344 in place.

With reference to FIG. 18, the passive infrared sensor holder 343 may besecured to the rear face of the lens 332. The flexible power circuit 345may be any material or component capable of delivering power and/or datato and from the passive infrared sensors 344, and may be contoured toconform to the non-linear shape of the passive infrared sensor holder343. The flexible power circuit 345 may connect to, draw power from,and/or transmit data to and from, the power printed circuit board 348.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly 379illustrating the fields of view of the passive infrared sensors 344. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the side faces 378S of the passive infraredsensor holder 343 are angled at 55° facing outward from the center face378C, and each passive infrared sensor 344 has a field of view of 110°.However, these angles may be increased or decreased as desired. Zone 1is the area that is visible only to a first one of the passive infraredsensors 344-1. Zone 2 is the area that is visible only to the firstpassive infrared sensor 344-1 and a second one of the passive infraredsensors 344-2. Zone 3 is the area that is visible only to the secondpassive infrared sensor 344-2. Zone 4 is the area that is visible onlyto the second passive infrared sensor 144-2 and a third one of thepassive infrared sensors 344-3. Zone 5 is the area that is visible onlyto the third passive infrared sensor 344-3. In some of the presentembodiments, the A/V recording and communication device 130 may becapable of determining the direction that an object is moving based uponwhich zones are triggered in a time sequence.

In some examples, the zones may be used as an activation mode. In someexamples, a security system may not be configured or capable of enteringa package protection mode whereby a parcel bounding box is used tomonitor a parcel delivered to a property, as described in FIGS. 51-53,below. In systems in which a package protection mode is not available,but monitoring is desired, the activation mode may be used, wherein thesensitivity of a particular area is increased. In some examples, theactivation mode may include determining in which zone a package isdelivered. In the example of the use of the passive infrared sensorassembly 379, motion detected in a particular zone may be used todetermine that a parcel has been delivered. For example, a third party,such as a parcel or package delivery service, may send a notice that aparcel has been delivered to a property at a particular time. Thepassive infrared sensor assembly 379, or another component, may receiveinformation from the passive infrared sensor assembly 379 that motionwas detected in a particular zone, such as Zone 3, at the same time theparcel was delivered. In response to the notification, the sensitivityto motion may be increased to the second passive infrared sensor 344-2.Thereafter, motion within the Zone 3, even slight motion, may be betterdetected due to the increased sensitivity of the second passive infraredsensor 344-2. If a camera, such as the camera 154 of FIG. 3, has zonesassociated with the data received from the camera, similar or same zonesensitivity technologies may be used. Thus, while a security system orother system may not have a package protection mode, changing thesensitivity of zones may be used as an alternate or supplementarytechnology.

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the components within or incommunication with the doorbell 330, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiments. As described above, the bracket PCB 349 maycomprise an accelerometer 350, a barometer 351, a humidity sensor 352,and a temperature sensor 353. The accelerometer 350 may be one or moresensors capable of sensing motion and/or acceleration. The barometer 351may be one or more sensors capable of determining the atmosphericpressure of the surrounding environment in which the bracket PCB 349 maybe located. The humidity sensor 352 may be one or more sensors capableof determining the amount of moisture present in the atmosphericenvironment in which the bracket PCB 349 may be located. The temperaturesensor 353 may be one or more sensors capable of determining thetemperature of the ambient environment in which the bracket PCB 349 maybe located. As described above, the bracket PCB 349 may be locatedoutside the housing of the doorbell 330 so as to reduce interferencefrom heat, pressure, moisture, and/or other stimuli generated by theinternal components of the doorbell 330.

With further reference to FIG. 21, the bracket PCB 349 may furthercomprise terminal screw inserts 354, which may be configured to receivethe terminal screws 338 and transmit power to the electrical contacts377 on the mounting bracket 337 (FIG. 17). The bracket PCB 349 may beelectrically and/or mechanically coupled to the power PCB 348 throughthe terminal screws 338, the terminal screw inserts 354, the springcontacts 340, and the electrical contacts 377. The terminal screws 338may receive electrical wires located at the surface to which thedoorbell 330 is mounted, such as the wall of a building, so that thedoorbell may receive electrical power from the building's electricalsystem. Upon the terminal screws 338 being secured within the terminalscrew inserts 354, power may be transferred to the bracket PCB 349, andto all of the components associated therewith, including the electricalcontacts 377. The electrical contacts 377 may transfer electrical powerto the power PCB 348 by mating with the spring contacts 340.

With further reference to FIG. 21, the front PCB 346 may comprise alight sensor 355, one or more light-emitting components, such as LED's356, one or more speakers 357, and a microphone 358. The light sensor355 may be one or more sensors capable of detecting the level of ambientlight of the surrounding environment in which the doorbell 330 may belocated. LED's 356 may be one or more light-emitting diodes capable ofproducing visible light when supplied with power. The speakers 357 maybe any electromechanical device capable of producing sound in responseto an electrical signal input. The microphone 358 may be anacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor capable of converting soundwaves into an electrical signal. When activated, the LED's 356 mayilluminate the light pipe 336 (FIG. 14). The front PCB 346 and allcomponents thereof may be electrically coupled to the power PCB 348,thereby allowing data and/or power to be transferred to and from thepower PCB 348 and the front PCB 346.

The speakers 357 and the microphone 358 may be coupled to the cameraprocessor 370 through an audio CODEC 361. For example, the transfer ofdigital audio from the user's client device 114 and the speakers 357 andthe microphone 358 may be compressed and decompressed using the audioCODEC 361, coupled to the camera processor 370. Once compressed by audioCODEC 361, digital audio data may be sent through the communicationmodule 364 to the network 112, routed by one or more servers 118, anddelivered to the user's client device 114. When the user speaks, afterbeing transferred through the network 112, digital audio data isdecompressed by audio CODEC 361 and emitted to the visitor via thespeakers 357.

With further reference to FIG. 21, the power PCB 348 may comprise apower management module 362, a microcontroller 363 (may also be referredto as “processor,” “CPU,” or “controller”), the communication module364, and power PCB non-volatile memory 365. In certain embodiments, thepower management module 362 may comprise an integrated circuit capableof arbitrating between multiple voltage rails, thereby selecting thesource of power for the doorbell 330. The battery 366, the springcontacts 340, and/or the connector 360 may each provide power to thepower management module 362. The power management module 362 may haveseparate power rails dedicated to the battery 366, the spring contacts340, and the connector 360. In one aspect of the present disclosure, thepower management module 362 may continuously draw power from the battery366 to power the doorbell 330, while at the same time routing power fromthe spring contacts 340 and/or the connector 360 to the battery 366,thereby allowing the battery 366 to maintain a substantially constantlevel of charge. Alternatively, the power management module 362 maycontinuously draw power from the spring contacts 340 and/or theconnector 360 to power the doorbell 330, while only drawing from thebattery 366 when the power from the spring contacts 340 and/or theconnector 360 is low or insufficient. Still further, the battery 366 maycomprise the sole source of power for the doorbell 330. In suchembodiments, the spring contacts 340 may not be connected to a source ofpower. When the battery 366 is depleted of its charge, it may berecharged, such as by connecting a power source to the connector 360.The power management module 362 may also serve as a conduit for databetween the connector 360 and the microcontroller 363.

With further reference to FIG. 21, in certain embodiments themicrocontroller 363 may comprise an integrated circuit including aprocessor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Themicrocontroller 363 may receive input signals, such as data and/orpower, from the PIR sensors 344, the bracket PCB 349, the powermanagement module 362, the light sensor 355, the microphone 358, and/orthe communication module 364, and may perform various functions asfurther described below. When the microcontroller 363 is triggered bythe PIR sensors 344, the microcontroller 363 may be triggered to performone or more functions. When the light sensor 355 detects a low level ofambient light, the light sensor 355 may trigger the microcontroller 363to enable “night vision,” as further described below. Themicrocontroller 363 may also act as a conduit for data communicatedbetween various components and the communication module 364.

With further reference to FIG. 21, the communication module 364 maycomprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals. The communication module 364 mayalso be configured to transmit data wirelessly to a remote networkdevice, and may include one or more transceivers (not shown). Thewireless communication may comprise one or more wireless networks, suchas, without limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and/or satellitenetworks. The communication module 364 may receive inputs, such as powerand/or data, from the camera PCB 347, the microcontroller 363, thebutton 333, the reset button 359, and/or the power PCB non-volatilememory 365. When the button 333 is pressed, the communication module 364may be triggered to perform one or more functions. When the reset button359 is pressed, the communication module 364 may be triggered to eraseany data stored at the power PCB non-volatile memory 365 and/or at thecamera PCB memory 369. The communication module 364 may also act as aconduit for data communicated between various components and themicrocontroller 363. The power PCB non-volatile memory 365 may compriseflash memory configured to store and/or transmit data. For example, incertain embodiments the power PCB non-volatile memory 365 may compriseserial peripheral interface (SPI) flash memory.

With further reference to FIG. 21, the camera PCB 347 may comprisecomponents that facilitate the operation of the camera 334. For example,an imager 371 may comprise a video recording sensor and/or a camerachip. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the imager 371 maycomprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, and maybe capable of recording high definition (e.g., 1080p or better) videofiles. A camera processor 370 may comprise an encoding and compressionchip. In some of the present embodiments, the camera processor 370 maycomprise a bridge processor. The camera processor 370 may process videorecorded by the imager 371 and audio recorded by the microphone 358, andmay transform this data into a form suitable for wireless transfer bythe communication module 364 to a network. The camera PCB memory 369 maycomprise volatile memory that may be used when data is being buffered orencoded by the camera processor 370. For example, in certain embodimentsthe camera PCB memory 369 may comprise synchronous dynamic random-accessmemory (SD RAM). IR LED's 368 may comprise light-emitting diodes capableof radiating infrared light. IR cut filter 367 may comprise a systemthat, when triggered, configures the imager 371 to see primarilyinfrared light as opposed to visible light. When the light sensor 355detects a low level of ambient light (which may comprise a level thatimpedes the performance of the imager 371 in the visible spectrum), theIR LED's 368 may shine infrared light through the doorbell 330 enclosureout to the environment, and the IR cut filter 367 may enable the imager371 to see this infrared light as it is reflected or refracted off ofobjects within the field of view of the doorbell. This process mayprovide the doorbell 330 with the “night vision” function mentionedabove.

As discussed above, the present disclosure provides numerous examples ofmethods and systems including A/V recording and communication doorbells,but the present embodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording andcommunication devices other than doorbells. For example, the presentembodiments may include one or more A/V recording and communicationsecurity cameras instead of, or in addition to, one or more A/Vrecording and communication doorbells. An example A/V recording andcommunication security camera may include substantially all of thestructure and functionality of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell 130, but without the front button 148, the button actuator 228,and/or the light pipe 232.

The present disclosure also provides numerous examples of methods andsystems including A/V recording and communication devices that arepowered by a connection to AC mains, but the present embodiments areequally applicable for A/V recording and communication devices that arebattery powered. For example, the present embodiments may include an A/Vrecording and communication device such as those described in US PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2015/0022620 (application Ser. No.14/499,828) and 2015/0022618 (application Ser. No. 14/334,922), both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as iffully set forth.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate an example A/V recording and communicationsecurity camera according to various aspects of the present embodiments.With reference to FIG. 22, the security camera 602, similar to the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, includes a faceplate 604 that ismounted to a back plate 606 and an enclosure 608 that engages thefaceplate 604. Collectively, the faceplate 604, the back plate 606, andthe enclosure 608 form a housing that contains and protects the innercomponents of the security camera 602. However, unlike the video A/Vrecording and communication device 130, the security camera 602 does notinclude any front button 148 for activating the doorbell. The faceplate604 may comprise any suitable material, including, without limitation,metals, such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, orplastics. The faceplate 604 protects the internal contents of thesecurity camera 602 and serves as an exterior front surface of thesecurity camera 602.

With continued reference to FIG. 22, the enclosure 608 engages thefaceplate 604 and abuts an upper edge 610 of the faceplate 604. Asdiscussed above, one or more gaps between the enclosure 608 and thefaceplate 604 may facilitate the passage of sound and/or light throughthe security camera 602. The enclosure 608 may comprise any suitablematerial, but in some embodiments the material of the enclosure 608preferably permits infrared light to pass through from inside thesecurity camera 602 to the environment and vice versa. The securitycamera 602 further includes a lens 612. Again, similar to the videodoorbell 302, in some embodiments, the lens may comprise a Fresnel lens,which may be patterned to deflect incoming light into one or moreinfrared sensors located within the security camera 602. The securitycamera 602 further includes a camera 614, which captures video data whenactivated, as described above and below.

With further reference to FIG. 6, the enclosure 608 may extend from thefront of the security camera 602 around to the back thereof and may fitsnugly around a lip (not shown) of the back plate 606. The back plate606 may comprise any suitable material, including, without limitation,metals, such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, orplastics. The back plate 606 protects the internal contents of thesecurity camera 602 and serves as an exterior rear surface of thesecurity camera 602. The faceplate 604 may extend from the front of thesecurity camera 602 and at least partially wrap around the back plate606, thereby allowing a coupled connection between the faceplate 604 andthe back plate 606. The back plate 606 may have indentations (not shown)in its structure to facilitate the coupling.

With continued reference to FIG. 22, the security camera 602 furthercomprises a mounting apparatus 616. The mounting apparatus 616facilitates mounting the security camera 602 to a surface, such as aninterior or exterior wall of a building, such as a home or office. Thefaceplate 604 may extend from the bottom of the security camera 602 upto just below the camera 614, and connect to the back plate 606 asdescribed above. The lens 612 may extend and curl partially around theside of the security camera 602. The enclosure 608 may extend and curlaround the side and top of the security camera 602, and may be coupledto the back plate 606 as described above. The camera 614 may protrudefrom the enclosure 608, thereby giving it a wider field of view. Themounting apparatus 616 may couple with the back plate 606, therebycreating an assembly including the security camera 602 and the mountingapparatus 616. The couplings described in this paragraph, and elsewhere,may be secured by, for example and without limitation, screws,interference fittings, adhesives, or other fasteners. Interferencefittings may refer to a type of connection where a material relies onpressure and/or gravity coupled with the material's physical strength tosupport a connection to a different element.

FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram of the components of the A/Vrecording and communication security camera of FIG. 22. With referenceto FIG. 23, the interior of the wireless security camera 602 comprises aplurality of printed circuit boards, including a front PCB 702, a cameraPCB 704, and a power PCB 706, each of which is described below. Thecamera PCB 704 comprises various components that enable thefunctionality of the camera 614 of the security camera 602, as describedbelow. Infrared light-emitting components, such as infrared LED's 708,are coupled to the camera PCB 704 and may be triggered to activate whena light sensor detects a low level of ambient light. When activated, theinfrared LED's 708 may emit infrared light through the enclosure 608and/or the camera 614 out into the ambient environment. The camera 614,which may be configured to detect infrared light, may then capture thelight emitted by the infrared LED's 708 as it reflects off objectswithin the camera's 614 field of view, so that the security camera 602may clearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “nightvision”).

The front PCB 702 comprises various components that enable thefunctionality of the audio and light components, including a lightsensor 710, LED's 712, one or more speakers 714, and a microphone 716.The light sensor 710 may be one or more sensors capable of detecting thelevel of ambient light of the surrounding environment in which thesecurity camera 602 may be located. The speakers 714 may be anyelectromechanical device capable of producing sound in response to anelectrical signal input. The microphone 716 may be anacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor capable of converting soundwaves into an electrical signal. The front PCB 702 and all componentsthereof may be electrically coupled to the power PCB 706, therebyallowing data and/or power to be transferred to and from the power PCB706 and the front PCB 702.

The speakers 714 and the microphone 716 may be coupled to a cameraprocessor 718 on the camera PCB 704 through an audio CODEC 720. Forexample, the transfer of digital audio from the user's client device 114and the speakers 714 and the microphone 716 may be compressed anddecompressed using the audio CODEC 720, coupled to the camera processor718. Once compressed by audio CODEC 720, digital audio data may be sentthrough the communication module 722 to the network 112, routed by oneor more servers 118, and delivered to the user's client device 114. Whenthe user speaks, after being transferred through the network 112,digital audio data is decompressed by audio CODEC 720 and emitted to thevisitor via the speakers 714.

With continued reference to FIG. 23, the power PCB 706 comprises variouscomponents that enable the functionality of the power and device-controlcomponents, including a power management module 724, a processor 726 acommunication module 722, and power PCB non-volatile memory 728. Incertain embodiments, the power management module 724 may comprise anintegrated circuit capable of arbitrating between multiple voltagerails, thereby selecting the source of power for the security camera602. The battery 730 and/or the connector 732 may each provide power tothe power management module 532. The power management module 724 (whichmay be similar to connector 360) may have separate power rails dedicatedto the battery 730 and the connector 732. The power management module724 may control charging of the battery 730 when the connector 732 isconnected to an external source of power, and may also serve as aconduit for data between the connector 732 and the processor 726.

With further reference to FIG. 23, in certain embodiments the processor726 may comprise an integrated circuit including a processor core,memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. The processor 726 mayreceive input signals, such as data and/or power, from the PIR sensors734, the power management module 724, the light sensor 710, themicrophone 716, and/or the communication module 722, and may performvarious functions as further described below. When the processor 726 istriggered by the PIR sensors 734, the processor 726 may be triggered toperform one or more functions, such as initiating recording of videoimages via the camera 614. When the light sensor 710 detects a low levelof ambient light, the light sensor 710 may trigger the processor 726 toenable “night vision,” as further described below. The processor 726 mayalso act as a conduit for data communicated between various componentsand the communication module 722.

With further reference to FIG. 23, the security camera 602 furthercomprises a communication module 722 coupled to the power PCB 706. Thecommunication module 722 facilitates communication with devices in oneor more remote locations, as further described below. The communicationmodule 722 may comprise an integrated circuit including a processorcore, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Thecommunication module 722 may also be configured to transmit datawirelessly to a remote network device, such as the user's client device114, the remote storage device 116, and/or the remote server 118, andmay include one or more transceivers (not shown). The wirelesscommunication may comprise one or more wireless networks, such as,without limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and/or satellitenetworks. The communication module 722 may receive inputs, such as powerand/or data, from the camera PCB 704, the processor 726, the resetbutton 736 (which may be similar to the reset button 359), and/or thepower PCB non-volatile memory 728. When the reset button 736 is pressed,the communication module 722 may be triggered to erase any data storedat the power PCB non-volatile memory 728 and/or at the camera PCB memory738. The communication module 722 may also act as a conduit for datacommunicated between various components and the processor 726. The powerPCB non-volatile memory 728 may comprise flash memory configured tostore and/or transmit data. For example, in certain embodiments thepower PCB non-volatile memory 728 may comprise serial peripheralinterface (SPI) flash memory.

With continued reference to FIG. 23, the power PCB 706 further comprisesthe connector 732 described above and a battery 730. The connector 732may protrude outward from the power PCB 706 and extend through a hole inthe back plate 339. The battery 730, which may be a rechargeablebattery, may provide power to the components of the security camera 602.

With continued reference to FIG. 23, the power PCB 706 further comprisespassive infrared (PIR) sensors 734, which may be secured on or within aPIR sensor holder (not shown) that resides behind the lens 612 (FIG.22). The PIR sensors 734 may be any type of sensor capable of detectingand communicating the presence of a heat source within their field ofview. Further, alternative embodiments may comprise one or more motionsensors either in place of or in addition to the PIR sensors 734. Themotion sensors may be configured to detect motion using any methodology,such as a methodology that does not rely on detecting the presence of aheat source within a field of view.

With further reference to FIG. 23, the camera PCB 704 may comprisecomponents that facilitate the operation of the camera 614. For example,an imager 740 may comprise a video recording sensor and/or a camerachip. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the imager 740 maycomprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, and maybe capable of recording high definition (e.g., 722 p or better) videofiles. A camera processor 718 may comprise an encoding and compressionchip. In some embodiments, the camera processor 718 may comprise abridge processor. The camera processor 718 may process video recorded bythe imager 740 and audio recorded by the microphone 716, and maytransform this data into a form suitable for wireless transfer by thecommunication module 722 to a network. The camera PCB memory 738 maycomprise volatile memory that may be used when data is being buffered orencoded by the camera processor 718. For example, in certain embodimentsthe camera PCB memory 738 may comprise synchronous dynamic random-accessmemory (SD RAM). IR LED's 708 may comprise light-emitting diodes capableof radiating infrared light. IR cut filter 742 may comprise a systemthat, when triggered, configures the imager 740 to see primarilyinfrared light as opposed to visible light. When the light sensor 710detects a low level of ambient light (which may comprise a level thatimpedes the performance of the imager 740 in the visible spectrum), theIR LED's 708 may shine infrared light through the security camera 602enclosure out to the environment, and the IR cut filter 742 may enablethe imager 740 to see this infrared light as it is reflected orrefracted off of objects within the field of view of the doorbell. Thisprocess may provide the security camera 602 with the “night vision”function mentioned above.

The camera PCB 704 further includes a computer vision module 744.Functionality of the computer vision module 744 is described in greaterdetail below.

As discussed above, the present disclosure provides numerous examples ofmethods and systems including A/V recording and communication doorbells,but the present embodiments are equally applicable for A/V recording andcommunication devices other than doorbells. For example, the presentembodiments may include one or more A/V recording and communicationfloodlight controllers instead of, or in addition to, one or more A/Vrecording and communication doorbells. FIGS. 24-26 illustrate an exampleA/V recording and communication floodlight controller according tovarious aspects of the present embodiments. FIG. 24 is a functionalblock diagram illustrating various components of the floodlightcontroller 802 and their relationships to one another. For example, thefloodlight controller 802 comprises an AC/DC adapter 805. The floodlightcontroller 802 is thus configured to be connected to a source ofexternal AC (alternating-current) power, such as a household AC powersupply (may also be referred to as AC mains). The AC power may have avoltage in the range of 110-220 VAC, for example. The incoming AC powermay be received by the AC/DC adapter 805, which may convert the incomingAC power to DC (direct-current) and may step down the voltage from110-220 VAC to a lower output voltage of about 12 VDC and an outputcurrent of about 2 A, for example. In various embodiments, the output ofthe AC/DC adapter 805 may be in a range of from about 9 V to about 15 V,for example, and in a range of from about 0.5 A to about 5 A, forexample. These voltages and currents are only examples provided forillustration and are not limiting in any way.

With further reference to FIG. 24, the floodlight controller 802 furthercomprises other components, including a processor 806 (may also bereferred to as a controller), a photosensor 808, an audio CODEC(coder-decoder) 810, at least one speaker 812 (which may be similar tospeaker 108), the at least one microphone 814 (which may be similar tomicrophone 104), at least one motion sensor 816, an infrared (IR) lightsource 818, an IR cut filter 820, an image sensor 822 (may be acomponent of the camera 102, and may be referred to interchangeably asthe camera 102), volatile memory 824, non-volatile memory 826, acommunication module 828, a button 830, a switch 832 for controlling oneor more floodlights, and a plurality of light indicators 834. Each ofthese components is described in detail below.

With further reference to FIG. 24, the processor 806 may perform dataprocessing and various other functions, as described below. Theprocessor 806 may comprise an integrated circuit including a processorcore, the volatile memory 824, the non-volatile memory 826, and/orprogrammable input/output peripherals (not shown). The volatile memory824 may comprise, for example, DDR3 SDRAM (double data rate type threesynchronous dynamic random-access memory). The non-volatile memory 826may comprise, for example, NAND flash memory. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 24, the volatile memory 824 and the non-volatilememory 826 are illustrated outside the box representing the processor806. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24 is, however, merely anexample, and in some embodiments the volatile memory 824 and/or thenon-volatile memory 826 may be physically incorporated with theprocessor 806, such as on the same chip. The volatile memory 824 and/orthe non-volatile memory 826, regardless of their physical location, maybe shared by one or more other components (in addition to the processor806) of the present floodlight controller 802.

With further reference to FIG. 24, the image sensor 822 (camera 102),the IR light source 818, the IR cut filter 820, and the photosensor 808are all operatively coupled to the processor 806. As described in detailbelow, the IR light source 818 and the IR cut filter 820 facilitate“night vision” functionality of the image sensor 822. For example, thephotosensor 808 is configured to detect the level of ambient light aboutthe floodlight controller 802. The processor 806 uses the input from thephotosensor 808 to control the states of the IR light source 818 and theIR cut filter 820 to activate and deactivate night vision, as describedbelow. In some embodiments, the image sensor 822 may comprise a videorecording sensor or a camera chip. In some embodiments, the IR lightsource 818 may comprise one or more IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

With further reference to FIG. 24, the at least one speaker 812 and theat least one microphone 814 are operatively coupled to the audio CODEC810, which is operatively coupled to the processor 806. The transfer ofdigital audio between the user and a visitor (or intruder) may becompressed and decompressed using the audio CODEC 810, as describedbelow. The motion sensor(s) 816 is also operatively coupled to theprocessor 806. The motion sensor(s) 816 may comprise, for example,passive infrared (PIR) sensors, or any other type of sensor capable ofdetecting and communicating to the processor 806 the presence and/ormotion of an object within its field of view. When the processor 806 istriggered by the motion sensor(s) 816, the processor 806 may perform oneor more functions, as described below.

With further reference to FIG. 24, the communication module 828 isoperatively coupled to the processor 806. The communication module 828,which includes at least one antenna 836, is configured to handlecommunication links between the floodlight controller 802 and other,external devices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing dataappropriately. For example, inbound data from the antenna(s) 836 may berouted through the communication module 828 before being directed to theprocessor 806, and outbound data from the processor 806 may be routedthrough the communication module 828 before being directed to theantenna(s) 836. The communication module 828 may include one or moretransceiver modules capable of transmitting and receiving data, andusing, for example, one or more protocols and/or technologies, such asGSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95 (CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA,TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, or any otherprotocol and/or technology. In the illustrated embodiment, thecommunication module 828 includes a Wi-Fi chip 838 and a Bluetooth chip840, but these components are merely examples and are not limiting.Further, while the Wi-Fi chip 838 and the Bluetooth chip 840 areillustrated within the box representing the communication module 828,the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24 is merely an example, and in someembodiments the Wi-Fi chip 838 and/or the Bluetooth chip 840 are notnecessarily physically incorporated with the communication module 828.

In some embodiments, the communication module 828 may further comprise awireless repeater (not shown, may also be referred to as a wirelessrange extender). The wireless repeater is configured to receive awireless signal from a wireless router (or another network device) inthe user's network 110 and rebroadcast the signal. Wireless devices thatare not within the broadcast range of the wireless router, or that onlyweakly receive the wireless signal from the wireless router, may receivethe rebroadcast signal from the wireless repeater of the communicationmodule 828, and may thus connect to the user's network 110 through thefloodlight controller 802. In some embodiments, the wireless repeatermay include one or more transceiver modules (not shown) capable oftransmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, one or moreprotocols and/or technologies, such as Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), WiMAX (IEEE802.16), or any other protocol and/or technology.

With further reference to FIG. 24, when a visitor (or intruder) who ispresent in the area about the floodlight controller 802 speaks, audiofrom the visitor (or intruder) is received by the microphones 814 andcompressed by the audio CODEC 810. Digital audio data is then sentthrough the communication module 828 to the network 112 (FIG. 1) via theuser's network 110, routed by the server 118 and/or the API 120, anddelivered to the user's client device 114. When the user speaks, afterbeing transferred through the network 112, the user's network 110, andthe communication module 828, the digital audio data from the user isdecompressed by the audio CODEC 810 and emitted to the visitor throughthe speaker 812, which may be driven by a speaker driver (not shown).

With further reference to FIG. 24, the button 830 is operatively coupledto the processor 806. The button 830 may have one or more functions,such as changing an operating mode of the floodlight controller 802and/or triggering a reset of the floodlight controller 802. For example,when the button 830 is pressed and released, it may cause thecommunication module 828 of the floodlight controller 802 to enteraccess point (AP) mode, which may facilitate connecting the floodlightcontroller 802 to the user's network 110. Alternatively, or in addition,when the button 830 is pressed and held down for at least a thresholdperiod of time, it may trigger the erasing of any data stored at thevolatile memory 824 and/or at the non-volatile memory 826, and/or maytrigger a reboot of the processor 806.

With reference to FIG. 25, the floodlight controller 802 comprises ahousing 902 for containing and protecting the interior components of thefloodlight controller 802. The housing 902 includes a front wall 904, arear wall 906, opposing side walls 908, 909, an upper wall 912, and atapered lower portion 914. The front wall 904 includes a central openingthat receives an upper shield 916 and a lower grill 918. In theillustrated embodiment, front surfaces of the upper shield 916 and thelower grill 918 are substantially flush with a front surface of thefront wall 904, but in alternative embodiments these surfaces may not beflush with one another. The upper shield 916 is substantiallyrectangular, and includes a semicircular indentation 919 along its loweredge 922. The lower grill 918 is substantially rectangular, and includesa semicircular indentation 924 along its upper edge 926. Together, thesemicircular indentations 919, 924 in the upper shield 916 and the lowergrill 918 form a circular opening 928 that accommodates a light pipe929. A cover extends across and closes an outer open end of the lightpipe 929. The upper shield 916, the lower grill 918, the light pipe 929,and the cover are all described in further detail below. The camera (notshown) is located in the circular opening 928 formed by the upper shield916 and the lower grill 918, behind the cover, and is surrounded by thelight pipe 929.

With reference to FIG. 24, the floodlight controller 802 furthercomprises the microphones 814. In the illustrated embodiment, a firstone of the microphones 814 is located along the front of the floodlightcontroller 802 behind the upper shield 916 (FIG. 25) and a second one ofthe microphones 814 is located along the left side of the floodlightcontroller 802 behind the left-side wall 909 (FIG. 25) of the housing902. Including two microphones that are spaced from one another andlocated on different sides of the floodlight controller 802 provides theillustrated embodiment of the floodlight controller 802 withadvantageous noise cancellation and/or echo cancellation for cleareraudio. The illustrated embodiment is, however, just one example and isnot limiting. Alternative embodiments may only include one microphone814, or include two microphones 814 in different locations than asillustrated in FIG. 24.

With reference to FIG. 25, the upper shield 916 may include a firstmicrophone opening 932 located in front of the first microphone 814 tofacilitate the passage of sound through the upper shield 916 so thatsounds from the area about the floodlight controller 802 may reach thefirst microphone 814. The left-side wall 909 of the housing 902 mayinclude a second microphone opening (not shown) located in front of thesecond microphone 814 that facilitates the passage of sound through theleft-side wall 909 of the housing 902 so that sounds from the area aboutthe floodlight controller 802 may reach the second microphone 814.

With further reference to FIG. 25, the floodlight controller 802 mayfurther comprise a light barrier 934 surrounding inner and outersurfaces of the light pipe 929. The light barrier 934 may comprise asubstantially opaque material that prevents the light generated by thelight indicators 834 from bleeding into the interior spaces of thefloodlight controller 802 around the light pipe 929. The light barrier934 may comprise a resilient material, such as a plastic, which may alsoadvantageously provide moisture sealing at the junctures between thelight pipe 929 and the upper shield 916 and the lower grill 918.Portions of the light barrier 934 may also extend between the juncturesbetween the upper shield 916 and the lower grill 918.

With further reference to FIG. 25, the floodlight controller 802 furthercomprises connecting hardware configured for connecting the floodlightcontroller 802 to a floodlight device 1002 (FIG. 26) and a power source(not shown). The floodlight controller 802 further comprises a pluralityof wires for connecting the floodlight controller 802 to the powersupply and to the floodlight(s) 1004 (FIG. 26) of the floodlight device1002 (for enabling the floodlight controller 802 to turn thefloodlight(s) 1004 on and off). In the illustrated embodiment, threewires may be used, but the illustrated embodiment is merely one exampleand is not limiting. In alternative embodiments, any number of wires maybe provided.

As discussed above, parcel theft is an increasingly common problem.Parcel carriers frequently leave parcels near the front door of a homewhen no one answers the door at the time of delivery. These parcels arevulnerable to theft, as they are often clearly visible from the street.This problem has only gotten worse with the proliferation of onlinecommerce, and is particularly common around major holidays when manyconsumers do their holiday shopping online. It would be advantageous,therefore, if the functionality of A/V recording and communicationdevices could be leveraged to deter parcel theft and/or to identify andapprehend parcel thieves. It would also be advantageous if thefunctionality of A/V recording and communication devices could beenhanced in one or more ways to deter parcel theft and/or to identifyand apprehend parcel thieves. The present embodiments provide theseadvantages and enhancements, as described below.

For example, some of the present embodiments deter parcel theft byreceiving, by a processor of a client device, image data including aparcel recorded by a camera of an A/V recording and communication devicein a field of view of the camera, displaying the image data on thedisplay of the client device, receiving, by the processor based on theimage data displayed on the display of the client device, an inputincluding a first selection of a parcel boundary for monitoring theparcel within the parcel boundary, and a second selection of amonitoring action to be executed in response to the parcel being movedfrom within the parcel boundary, and generating and transmitting, by theprocessor based on the input, parcel monitoring rules to the A/Vrecording and communication device.

As another example, some of the present embodiments may deter parceltheft by receiving, by a processor of an A/V recording and communicationdevice, from a client device associated with the A/V recording andcommunication device, parcel monitoring rules for monitoring a parcel ina field of view of the motion detector, the parcel monitoring rulesincluding a parcel boundary for monitoring the parcel within the parcelboundary, and a monitoring action to be executed in response to theparcel being moved from within the parcel boundary, updating, by theprocessor based on the parcel monitoring rules, the motion detectionrules to create updated motion detection rules, detecting, by the motiondetector based on the updated motion detection rules, that the parcelhas been moved from within the parcel boundary; and executing, by theprocessor in response to the detecting that the parcel has been movedfrom within the parcel boundary and based on the updated motiondetection rules, the monitoring action.

Some of the present embodiments may comprise computer vision for one ormore aspects, such as object recognition. Computer vision includesmethods for acquiring, processing, analyzing, and understanding imagesand, in general, high-dimensional data from the real world in order toproduce numerical or symbolic information, e.g. in the form ofdecisions. Computer vision seeks to duplicate the abilities of humanvision by electronically perceiving and understanding an image.Understanding in this context means the transformation of visual images(the input of the retina) into descriptions of the world that mayinterface with other thought processes and elicit appropriate action.This image understanding may be seen as the disentangling of symbolicinformation from image data using models constructed with the aid ofgeometry, physics, statistics, and learning theory. Computer vision hasalso been described as the enterprise of automating and integrating awide range of processes and representations for vision perception. As ascientific discipline, computer vision is concerned with the theorybehind artificial systems that extract information from images. Theimage data may take many forms, such as video sequences, views frommultiple cameras, or multi-dimensional data from a scanner. As atechnological discipline, computer vision seeks to apply its theoriesand models for the construction of computer vision systems.

One aspect of computer vision comprises determining whether or not theimage data contains some specific object, feature, or activity.Different varieties of computer vision recognition include: ObjectRecognition (also called object classification)—One or severalpre-specified or learned objects or object classes may be recognized,usually together with their 2D positions in the image or 3D poses in thescene. Identification—An individual instance of an object is recognized.Examples include identification of a specific person's face orfingerprint, identification of handwritten digits, or identification ofa specific vehicle. Detection—The image data are scanned for a specificcondition. Examples include detection of possible abnormal cells ortissues in medical images or detection of a vehicle in an automatic roadtoll system. Detection based on relatively simple and fast computationsis sometimes used for finding smaller regions of interesting image datathat may be further analyzed by more computationally demandingtechniques to produce a correct interpretation.

Several specialized tasks based on computer vision recognition exist,such as: Optical Character Recognition (OCR)—Identifying characters inimages of printed or handwritten text, usually with a view to encodingthe text in a format more amenable to editing or indexing (e.g. ASCII).2D Code Reading—Reading of 2D codes such as data matrix and QR codes.Facial Recognition. Shape Recognition Technology (SRT)—Differentiatinghuman beings (e.g. head and shoulder patterns) from objects.

Typical functions and components (e.g. hardware) found in many computervision systems are described in the following paragraphs. The presentembodiments may include at least some of these aspects. For example,with reference to FIG. 3, embodiments of the present A/V recording andcommunication device 130 may include a computer vision module 163. Thecomputer vision module 163 may include any of the components (e.g.hardware) and/or functionality described herein with respect to computervision, including, without limitation, one or more cameras, sensors,and/or processors. In some of the present embodiments, the microphone150, the camera 154, and/or the imaging processor 240 may be componentsof the computer vision module 163.

Image acquisition—A digital image is produced by one or several imagesensors, which, besides various types of light-sensitive cameras, mayinclude range sensors, tomography devices, radar, ultra-sonic cameras,etc. Depending on the type of sensor, the resulting image data may be a2D image, a 3D volume, or an image sequence. The pixel values maycorrespond to light intensity in one or several spectral bands (grayimages or color images), but may also be related to various physicalmeasures, such as depth, absorption or reflectance of sonic orelectromagnetic waves, or nuclear magnetic resonance.

Pre-processing—Before a computer vision method may be applied to imagedata in order to extract some specific piece of information, it isusually beneficial to process the data in order to assure that itsatisfies certain assumptions implied by the method. Examples ofpre-processing include, but are not limited to re-sampling in order toassure that the image coordinate system is correct, noise reduction inorder to assure that sensor noise does not introduce false information,contrast enhancement to assure that relevant information may bedetected, and scale space representation to enhance image structures atlocally appropriate scales.

Feature extraction—Image features at various levels of complexity areextracted from the image data. Typical examples of such features are:Lines, edges, and ridges; Localized interest points such as corners,blobs, or points; More complex features may be related to texture,shape, or motion.

Detection/segmentation—At some point in the processing a decision may bemade about which image points or regions of the image are relevant forfurther processing. Examples are: Selection of a specific set ofinterest points; Segmentation of one or multiple image regions thatcontain a specific object of interest; Segmentation of the image intonested scene architecture comprising foreground, object groups, singleobjects, or salient object parts (also referred to as spatial-taxonscene hierarchy).

High-level processing—At this step, the input may be a small set ofdata, for example a set of points or an image region that is assumed tocontain a specific object. The remaining processing may comprise, forexample: Verification that the data satisfy model-based andapplication-specific assumptions; Estimation of application-specificparameters, such as object pose or object size; Imagerecognition—classifying a detected object into different categories;Image registration—comparing and combining two different views of thesame object. Decision making—Making the final decision required for theapplication, for example match/no-match in recognition applications.

One or more of the present embodiments may include a vision processingunit (not shown separately, but may be a component of the computervision module 163). A vision processing unit is an emerging class ofmicroprocessor; it is a specific type of AI (artificial intelligence)accelerator designed to accelerate machine vision tasks. Visionprocessing units are distinct from video processing units (which arespecialized for video encoding and decoding) in their suitability forrunning machine vision algorithms such as convolutional neural networks,SIFT, etc. Vision processing units may include direct interfaces to takedata from cameras (bypassing any off-chip buffers), and may have agreater emphasis on on-chip dataflow between many parallel executionunits with scratchpad memory, like a manycore DSP (digital signalprocessor). But, like video processing units, vision processing unitsmay have a focus on low precision fixed point arithmetic for imageprocessing.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example embodiment of a process for deterringparcel theft with an A/V recording and communication device according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. At block B300, the processdetermines that a parcel has been left within an area about an A/Vrecording and communication device, such as the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 described above, or the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 described below, for example. The presentembodiments encompass any method of determining that a parcel has beenleft within an area about an A/V recording and communication device, andseveral examples are provided below. The present embodiments are not,however, limited to these examples, which are provided for illustrationonly. Any of the examples described below, as well as any of the presentembodiments, may include one or more aspects of computer vision.

In one example embodiment, determining that the parcel has been leftwithin the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 maycomprise comparing video frames recorded by the camera 154 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, e.g. using computer vision. Forexample, before a parcel is left within the area about the A/V recordingand communication device 130, the field of view of the camera 154 mayremain largely static. Different objects may occasionally (orfrequently) pass through the camera's field of view, such as people,animals, cars, etc., but these objects generally do not remain withinthe camera's field of view for very long (on the order of seconds) and,if they stop within the camera's field of view, they typically beginmoving again soon after stopping. By contrast, when a parcel is leftwithin the camera's field of view, it typically remains within thecamera's field of view for a significant amount of time (on the order ofminutes or hours), and the parcel typically remains motionlessthroughout the time that it remains within the camera's field of view(at least until someone picks it up and carries it away). Thus,comparing video frames from a time before a parcel is left within thecamera's field of view with video frames from a time after the parcel isleft within the camera's field of view may enable a reliabledetermination to be made as to whether an object that is present withinthe camera's field of view is a parcel or not.

The present embodiments contemplate numerous methodologies fordetermining whether an object that is present within the camera's fieldof view is a parcel or not. Any or all of these methodologies mayinclude one or more aspects of computer vision. For example, in some ofthe present embodiments an object within the camera's field of view maybe determined to be a parcel if the object is not present within thecamera's field of view at a first time (in a first video frame), theobject is present within the camera's field of view at a second timeafter the first time (in a second video frame), and the object remainswithin the camera's field of view for at least a threshold amount oftime (e.g., 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 60 seconds). Determining whetherthe object remains within the camera's field of view for at least thethreshold amount of time may comprise review of one or more video framesthat are recorded after the second video frame. In other embodiments, anobject within the camera's field of view may be determined to be aparcel if the object is not present within the camera's field of view ata first time (in a first video frame), the object is present within thecamera's field of view at a second time after the first time (in asecond video frame), and the object remains motionless within thecamera's field of view for at least a threshold amount of time.Determining whether the object remains motionless within the camera'sfield of view for at least the threshold amount of time may comprisereview of one or more video frames that are recorded after the secondvideo frame.

In other embodiments, an object within the camera's field of view may bedetermined to be a parcel if the object is not present within thecamera's field of view at a first time (in a first video frame), aperson is detected approaching the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 at a second time after the first time (in a second videoframe), the person is detected moving away from the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 at a third time after the second time (in athird video frame), and the object is present within the camera's fieldof view at a fourth time after the third time (in a fourth video frame).

In other embodiments, an object within the camera's field of view may bedetermined to be a parcel if the object is not present within thecamera's field of view at a first time (in a first video frame), astationary vehicle (which may be a delivery vehicle, for example) isdetected within the camera's field of view at a second time after thefirst time (in a second video frame), the object is present within thecamera's field of view at a third time after the second time (in a thirdvideo frame), and the vehicle is no longer present within the camera'sfield of view at a fourth time after the third time (in a fourth videoframe).

In other embodiments, an object within the camera's field of view may bedetermined to be a parcel if the object is not present within thecamera's field of view at a first time (in a first video frame), theobject is present within the camera's field of view at a second timeafter the first time (in a second video frame), and the object meets oneor more criteria, such as having one or more physical characteristics.Examples of physical characteristics that may be examined to determinewhether the object is a parcel include, without limitation, size, shape,color, and material (or materials). For example, if the object is madeof cardboard and is brown or white (common colors for cardboard shippingboxes), it may be determined to be a parcel.

The present embodiments contemplate many processes for examiningphysical characteristics of the object and making a determination as towhether the object is a parcel. For example, some of the presentembodiments may comprise gathering information about the object usingcomputer vision, and then comparing the gathered information about theobject to stored information about parcels to determine whether there isa match. For example, the present embodiments may include a database ofparcels and/or physical characteristics of parcels. The database mayinclude pictures of known parcels, and comparing the gatheredinformation about the object to the stored information about parcels maycomprise comparing a picture of the object to the pictures of knownparcels. Gathering information about the object using computer visionmay comprise using one or more cameras, scanners, imagers, etc. and/orone or more sensors, such as sonar. In some of the present embodiments,determining whether the object is a parcel may be based on the locationof the object within the field of view of the camera. For example, ifthe A/V recording and communication device is located near a door, suchas the front door, then a motionless object in close proximity to theA/V recording and communication device may be more likely to be aparcel. However, if the object is distant from the A/V recording andcommunication device, such as in the front yard, near the street, or ina garden, for example, the object may be less likely to be a parcel. Assuch, the determination of whether the object is a parcel may furtherinclude determining the location of the parcel in the field of view ofthe camera 444. In some of the present embodiments, the user of theclient device (e.g., client device 404, 406 of FIG. 33) may be able toset parcel zone(s) during a setup process. The creation of the parcelzone(s) may be similar to that of the creation of the parcel boundary475 described below (e.g., drawn on a display of the client device,automatically created based on the field of view of the A/V recordingand communication device, etc.). In embodiments where parcel zone(s) arecreated, the A/V recording and communication device may first determineif the motionless object is within the parcel zone prior to determining,based on the methods disclosed herein, if the motionless object is aparcel.

With reference to FIG. 23, information received by the computer visionmodule 163 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 may be sentto one or more network devices, such as the server 118 and/or thebackend API 120, in a computer vision query signal 310.

The one or more network devices may then analyze the sent informationand/or compare the sent information with other information in one ormore databases to determine whether there is a match, for example inorder to identify the parcel. In one example embodiment, comparing thesent information about the parcel with other information in one or moredatabases to determine whether there is a match may comprise comparingthe sent information, such as one or more photos or images, about theparcel with photos and/or images of known parcels. If there is a match,then one or more actions may occur, such as the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 transitioning to a different operational mode.For example, the network device, such as the server 118 and/or thebackend API 120, may send a computer vision response signal 312 to theA/V recording and communication device 130. The computer vision responsesignal 312 may include a command to the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 to change the operational mode of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. For example, the command to the A/V recordingand communication device 130 may cause the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 to transition to an “armed” mode in which theA/V recording and communication device 130 is configured to take one ormore actions when the parcel is removed from the area about the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, as described below.

In another example embodiment, determining that the parcel has been leftwithin the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 maycomprise receiving information from a carrier (e.g. the postal service,FedEx, UPS, etc.) that delivered the parcel. For example, when theparcel carrier delivers the parcel, or at some time after the parcelcarrier has delivered the parcel, the carrier may update a deliverystatus of the parcel in the carrier's parcel tracking system to indicatethat the parcel has been delivered. The carrier's parcel tracking systemmay then forward that information to one or more network devices, suchas the server 118 and/or the backend API 120, which may then forward theinformation to the A/V recording and communication device 130.

In another example embodiment, determining that the parcel has been leftwithin the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 maycomprise automatic identification and data capture (AIDC). For example,the parcel may include at least one of a barcode 320 (FIG. 29), a matrixcode 322 (FIG. 30), a bokode 324 (FIG. 31), and a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag 326 (FIG. 32). AIDC refers to methods ofautomatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, andentering that data directly into computer systems (e.g. without humaninvolvement). Technologies typically considered part of AIDC includebarcodes, matrix codes, bokodes, RFID, biometrics (e.g. irisrecognition, facial recognition, voice recognition, etc.), magneticstripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and smart cards. AIDC isalso commonly referred to as “Automatic Identification,” “Auto-ID,” and“Automatic Data Capture.”

AIDC encompasses obtaining external data, particularly through analysisof images and/or sounds. To capture data, a transducer may convert animage or a sound into a digital file. The file is then typically storedand analyzed by a computer, and/or compared with other files in adatabase, to verify identity and/or to provide authorization to enter asecured system. AIDC also refers to methods of recognizing objects,getting information about them, and entering that data or feeding itdirectly into computer systems without any human involvement. Inbiometric security systems, capture may refer to the acquisition ofand/or the process of acquiring and identifying characteristics, such asfinger images, palm images, facial images, or iris prints, which all mayinvolve video data, or voice prints, which may involve audio data.

A barcode, such as the example barcode 320 shown in FIG. 29, is anoptical machine-readable representation of data relating to the objectto which it is attached. Barcodes systematically represent data byvarying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referredto as linear or one-dimensional (1D) barcodes.

A matrix code, such as the example matrix code 322 shown in FIG. 30, isa two-dimensional matrix barcode consisting of black and white “cells”or modules arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern. Theinformation encoded may be text and/or numeric data. Quick response (QR)codes and Data Matrix codes are specific types of matrix codes.

A bokode, such as the example bokode 324 shown in FIG. 31, is a type ofdata tag that holds much more information than a barcode over the samearea. The bokode pattern is a tiled series of matrix codes. Bokodes maybe circular, and may include an LED covered with a mask and a lens.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields toautomatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags,such as the example RFID tag 326 shown in FIG. 32, containelectronically stored information, and may be passive or active. Passivetags collect energy from a nearby RFID reader's interrogating radiowaves. Active tags have a local power source, such as a battery, and mayoperate at hundreds of meters from the RFID reader. Unlike a barcode,the tag need not be within the line of sight of the reader, so it may beembedded in the tracked object.

The A/V recording and communication device 130 may capture informationembedded in one of these types (or any other type) of AIDC technologies.For example, with reference to FIG. 3, the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 may include an AIDC module (not shown)operatively connected to the processor 160. The AIDC module 165 mayinclude hardware and/or software configured for one or more types ofAIDC, including, but not limited to, any of the types of AIDC describedherein. For example, the AIDC module 165 may include an RFID reader (notshown), and the camera 154 of the A/V recording and communication device130 may in some of the present embodiments be considered to be part ofthe AIDC module 165. For example, with respect to barcodes, matrixcodes, and bokodes (or any other type code), the camera 154 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 may scan the code, and anyinformation embedded therein. To facilitate scanning the code, theparcel carrier may hold the parcel up to the camera 154. With respect toRFID, the RFID reader of the AIDC module 165 may interrogate an RFID tag326 on, or embedded in, the parcel. In some of the present embodiments,the processor 160 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 maybe considered to be part of the AIDC module 165 and/or the processor 160may operate in conjunction with the AIDC module 165 in various AIDCprocesses.

AIDC and computer vision have significant overlap, and use of either oneof these terms herein should be construed as also encompassing thesubject matter of the other one of these terms. For example, thecomputer vision module 163 and the AIDC module 165 may compriseoverlapping hardware components and/or functionality. In some of thepresent embodiments, the computer vision module 163 and the AIDC module165 may be combined into a single module.

The computer vision methods and AIDC methods described above may also beused in the processes described in FIGS. 43-54 below. For example, inthe process of FIG. 45, at block B618, computer vision and/or AIDCmethods similar to those described above may be used to detect, by themotion detector (e.g., the camera 444) based on the updated motiondetection rules 470, that the parcel has been moved from within theparcel boundary 475. Similarly, in the process of FIG. 46, at blockB626, computer vision and/or AIDC methods similar to those describedabove may be used to analyze, by the processor 452, the image data 460to determine whether the image data 460 includes a parcel. As anotherexample, in the process of FIG. 48, at block B638, computer visionand/or AIDC methods similar to those described above may be used by theprocessor 502 of the backend server 430 to analyze the image data 460 todetermine whether a parcel is present.

With reference to FIG. 33, information received by the AIDC module 165of the A/V recording and communication device 130 from one or more codesor tags may be sent to one or more network devices, such as the server118 and/or the backend API 120, in an AIDC query signal 331. The one ormore network devices may then analyze the sent information and/orcompare the sent information with other information in one or more codesdatabases to determine whether there is a match, for example in order toidentify the parcel. If there is a match, then one or more actions mayoccur, such as the A/V recording and communication device 130transitioning to a different operational mode. For example, the networkdevice, such as the server 118 and/or the backend API 120, may send anAIDC response signal 333 to the A/V recording and communication device130. The AIDC response signal 333 may include a command to the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 to change the operational mode ofthe A/V recording and communication device 130. For example, the commandto the A/V recording and communication device 130 may cause the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 to transition to an “armed” modein which the A/V recording and communication device 130 is configured totake one or more actions when the parcel is removed from the area aboutthe A/V recording and communication device 130, as described below.

With further reference to FIG. 27, at block B302 the process determinesthat the parcel has been removed from the area about the A/V recordingand communication device 130. The area about the A/V recording andcommunication device may be the entire area in the field of view of theA/V recording and communication device, a parcel zone as describedabove, or may specifically be a parcel boundary, such as the parcelboundary 475 described below. The present embodiments encompass anymethod of determining that a parcel has been removed from the area aboutan A/V recording and communication device, and several examples areprovided below. The present embodiments are not, however, limited tothese examples, which are provided for illustration only. Any of theexamples described below, as well as any of the present embodiments, mayinclude one or more aspects of computer vision.

In one example embodiment, determining that the parcel has been removedfrom the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 maycomprise comparing video frames recorded by the camera 154 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130. For example, after a parcel hasbeen determined to have been left within the area about the A/Vrecording and communication device 130, the parcel is likely to remainmotionless in the position where it was left. Thus, if the parcel ispresent within the camera's field of view at a first time (in a firstvideo frame), and is no longer present within the camera's field of viewat a second time after the first time (in a second video frame), thenthe parcel may be determined to have been removed from the area aboutthe A/V recording and communication device 130. As described above, thisdetermination may be made within the entire area about the A/V recordingand communication device, or in a more defined area, such as within theparcel zone and/or the parcel boundary 475, for example.

In another example embodiment, determining that the parcel has beenremoved from the area about the A/V recording and communication device130 may comprise AIDC. For example, if the parcel includes an RFID tag,then an RFID reader of the AIDC module 165 may detect that the RFID tagno longer responds to interrogation signals. In some of the presentembodiments, if the RFID reader sends a threshold number ofinterrogation signals and receives no response from the RFID tag of theparcel, the process may determine that the parcel has been removed fromthe area about the A/V recording and communication device 130. In someof the present embodiments, the threshold number of interrogationsignals with no response may be one interrogation signal, or twointerrogation signals, or three interrogation signals, or any othernumber of interrogation signals. As described above, this determinationmay be made using AIDC within the entire area about the A/V recordingand communication device, or in a more defined area, such as within theparcel zone and/or the parcel boundary 475, for example.

With further reference to FIG. 27, at block B304 the process determineswhether removal of the parcel from the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 was authorized. The present embodimentsencompass any method of determining whether removal of the parcel fromthe area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 wasauthorized, and several examples are provided below. The presentembodiments are not, however, limited to these examples, which areprovided for illustration only. Any of the examples described below, aswell as any of the present embodiments, may include one or more aspectsof computer vision.

In one example embodiment, determining whether removal of the parcelfrom the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 wasauthorized may comprise detecting (or tracking) a direction of movementof the parcel. For example, when a parcel is left outside the frontentrance of a home, the homeowner (or other occupant) will typicallypick up the parcel and bring it inside the home. A parcel thief, bycontrast, will typically pick up the parcel and carry it away from thehome. Thus, if the A/V recording and communication device 130 detectsthat the parcel is moving toward a structure to which the A/V recordingand communication device 130 is secured (or with which the A/V recordingand communication device 130 is associated), then the process maydetermine that the removal of the parcel from the area about the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 is authorized. But, if the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 detects that the parcel is movingaway from the structure to which the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 is secured (or with which the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 is associated), then the process may determine that theremoval of the parcel from the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 is unauthorized. This determination may besimilar to that of block B618 of the process of FIG. 45. For example,detecting, by the motion detector based on the updated motion detectionrules 470, that the parcel has been moved from within the parcelboundary 475 may include detecting (or tracking) a direction of movementof the parcel.

In another example embodiment, determining whether removal of the parcelfrom the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 wasauthorized may comprise AIDC and/or computer vision. For example, if anauthorized person (e.g. the addressee of the parcel) removes the parcelfrom the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130, theA/V recording and communication device 130 may receive information fromthe authorized person. For example, the authorized person may presentidentification or credentials to the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130. The camera 154 and/or the AIDC module 165 and/or theprocessor 160 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 mayreceive information from the identification or credentials for use indetermining that the person removing the parcel from the area about theA/V recording and communication device 130 is an authorized person. Ifno identification or credentials are presented when the parcel isremoved from the area about the A/V recording and communication device130, or if identification or credentials are presented but they do notmatch an expected identification or credentials, then the process maydetermine that the person removing the parcel from the area about theA/V recording and communication device 130 is not an authorized person.In some of the present embodiments, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 may provide a prompt, such as a voice prompt emitted throughthe speaker, requesting identification or credentials when a person isdetected within the area about the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 and/or when the A/V recording and communication device 130detects that the parcel has been moved or picked up.

Examples of identification or credentials that could be used in theforegoing processes include, without limitation, a card (or othercarrier or substrate) bearing a barcode 320, or a matrix code 322, or abokode 324, or an RFID tag 326, or an embedded integrated circuit (suchas in a smart card, a chip card, or an integrated circuit card (ICC)),or a magnetic stripe. FIG. 34 illustrates an example of a smart card 341including an embedded integrated circuit 342, and FIG. 35 illustrates anexample of a card 373 including a magnetic stripe 373(a).

A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card (ICC), such as theexample smart card 341 shown in FIG. 34, is any pocket-sized card thathas one or more embedded integrated circuits. Smart cards may be eithercontact or contactless. Contact smart cards include a contact areacomprising contact pads. These pads provide electrical connectivity wheninserted into a reader, which serves as a communication medium betweenthe smart card and a host (e.g., a computer, or a point of saleterminal). Contact smart cards do not contain batteries. Instead, poweris supplied by the card reader. With contactless smart cards, the cardcommunicates with and is powered by the reader through RF inductiontechnology. These cards require only proximity to an antenna tocommunicate. Like contact smart cards with, contactless cards do nothave an internal power source. Instead, they use an inductor to capturesome of the incident radio-frequency interrogation signal, rectify it,and use it to power the card's electronics.

A magnetic stripe card, such as the example card 373 shown in FIG. 35,is a type of card capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism oftiny iron-based magnetic particles on a band of magnetic material on thecard. The magnetic stripe, sometimes called a magstripe, is read byswiping past a magnetic reading head.

Further examples of identification or credentials that could be used inthe foregoing processes include, without limitation, a card (or othercarrier or substrate) bearing text that may be received as input by theAIDC module 165 and/or the camera 154 and/or the processor 160 throughoptical character recognition (OCR). OCR is the mechanical or electronicconversion of images of typed, handwritten, or printed text intomachine-encoded text.

Further examples of AIDC and/or computer vision that may be used in thepresent embodiments to verify the identity and/or authorization of aperson include, without limitation, biometrics. Biometrics refers tometrics related to human characteristics. Biometrics authentication (orrealistic authentication) is used in various forms of identification andaccess control. Biometric identifiers are the distinctive, measurablecharacteristics used to label and describe individuals. Biometricidentifiers may be physiological characteristics and/or behavioralcharacteristics. Physiological characteristics may be related to theshape of the body. Examples include, but are not limited to,fingerprints, palm veins, facial recognition, three-dimensional facialrecognition, skin texture analysis, DNA, palm prints, hand geometry,iris recognition, retina recognition, and odor/scent recognition.Behavioral characteristics may be related to the pattern of behavior ofa person, including, but not limited to, typing rhythm, gait, and voicerecognition.

The present embodiments may use any one, or any combination of more thanone, of the foregoing biometrics to identify and/or authenticate aperson who removes the parcel from the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. For example, the computer vision module 163,the AIDC module 165, and/or the camera 154 and/or the processor 160 mayreceive information about the person using any one, or any combinationof more than one, of the foregoing biometrics.

Another aspect of determining whether removal of the parcel from thearea about the A/V recording and communication device 130 was authorizedmay comprise comparing information received through the AIDC (and/orcomputer vision) to information about one or more persons. Withreference to FIG. 33, information received by the AIDC module 165(and/or the computer vision module 163) and/or the camera 154 and/or theprocessor 160 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 may besent to one or more network devices, such as the server 118 and/or thebackend API 120, in an AIDC query signal 331. The one or more networkdevices may then compare information in the AIDC query signal 331 aboutthe person detected in the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 with information from one or more sources.These information sources may include one or more databases and/orservices. For example, a database and/or service may include a smartlist of authorized persons. If a person who removed the parcel is on thesmart list of authorized persons, then the removal of the parcel fromthe area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 may bedetermined to be authorized.

In some of the present embodiments, the information in the AIDC querysignal 331 may be compared with information about one or more personswho are authorized to remove parcels from the area about the A/Vrecording and communication device 130. For example, biometricinformation (or other AIDC/computer vision information) about one ormore authorized persons may be uploaded and stored at one or moredatabases and/or services accessible to the one or more network devices,such as the server 118 and/or the backend API 120. Comparison(s) betweenthis information and the information in the AIDC query signal 331 maydetermine whether a person detected in the area about the A/V recordingand communication device 130 is an authorized person or not. Thecomparison(s) may be performed by one or more network devices, such asthe server 118 and/or the backend API 120, for example.

In other embodiments, the information in the AIDC query signal 331 maybe compared with information about one or more persons who have beenreported in connection with one or more crimes and/or suspicious events.In some of the present embodiments, the crime(s) and/or suspiciousevent(s) may have occurred within a defined radius of the A/V recordingand communication device 130. For example, a first user of an A/Vrecording and communication device may view video footage that wasrecorded by his or her device and determine that the person or personsin the video footage are, or may be, engaged in suspicious activityand/or criminal activity. The first user may then share that videofootage with one or more other people, such as other users of A/Vrecording and communication devices, and/or one or more organizations,including one or more law enforcement agencies. The present embodimentsmay leverage this shared video footage for use in comparing with theinformation in the AIDC query signal 331 to determine whether a persondetected in the area about the A/V recording and communication device130 is the same person that was the subject of (and/or depicted in) theshared video footage. If a person detected in the area about the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 is the same person that wasreported in connection with one or more crimes and/or suspicious events,then that person is probably not a person who is authorized to removeparcels from the area about the A/V recording and communication device130. In some of the present embodiments, the person (or persons)depicted in the shared video footage may be a perpetrator(s) of one ormore parcel thefts. Further, those parcel thefts may have occurredwithin a defined radius about the A/V recording and communication device130. Further description of sharing video footage from A/V recording andcommunication devices is provided in US patent application Ser. Nos.62/288,971 (filed on Jan. 29, 2016 and entitled “SHARING VIDEO FOOTAGEFROM WIRELESS AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES”) and62/300,547 (filed on Feb. 26, 2016 and entitled “SHARING VIDEO FOOTAGEFROM WIRELESS AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING AND COMMUNICATION DEVICES”), both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as iffully set forth.

In another example embodiment, AIDC and/or computer vision may comprisethe camera 154 of the A/V recording and communication device 130capturing an image of a person in the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The image of the person may comprise an imageof the person's face. The image of the person's face may be comparedwith image(s) of the face(s) of at least one other person. In some ofthe present embodiments, the at least one other person may be a personor persons who were reported in connection with suspicious activityand/or criminal activity, such as parcel theft. The comparison(s) may beperformed by one or more network devices, such as the server 118 and/orthe backend API 120. If a match is found between the image of theperson's face captured by the camera 154 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 and the at least one image of the face(s) of atleast one other person, then the process may determine that removal ofthe parcel from the area about the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 was unauthorized. The process may then generate an alert,which may comprise any or all of the alert types described herein.

With further reference to FIG. 33, the network device, such as theserver 118 and/or the backend API 120, may send an AIDC response signal333 to the A/V recording and communication device 130. In some of thepresent embodiments, the AIDC response signal 333 may be sent after acomparison has been made between the information in the AIDC querysignal 331 and the information about one or more persons who areauthorized to remove parcels from the area about A/V recording andcommunication device 130 and/or the information about one or morepersons who have been reported in connection with one or more crimesand/or suspicious events. The AIDC response signal 333 may comprise anindicator (and/or information) about whether a person detected in thearea about the A/V recording and communication device 130 is authorizedto remove parcels from that area or not.

With further reference to FIG. 27, at block B306, when the removal ofthe parcel from the area about the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 is determined to have been unauthorized, the process maygenerate an alert. In some of the present embodiments, the alert maycomprise an alert signal sent to a client device. For example, the alertmay be similar to, or the same as, the process described above withrespect to block B268 of FIG. 2, in which audio and/or video data istransmitted (streamed) from the A/V recording and communication device130 to the user's client device 114 via the user's network 110 and thenetwork 112. The streaming video may include images of the person(s) whowas/were determined to have been unauthorized. The user may thendetermine whether to take further action, such as alerting lawenforcement and/or sharing the video footage with other people, such asvia social media.

In some of the present embodiments, the alert may comprise an audiblealarm emitted from the speaker 152 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The audible alarm may be any loud noise likelyto attract attention and/or startle the unauthorized person, making itmore likely that he or she will flee without absconding with theparcel(s). In some of the present embodiments, the alert may comprise anannouncement emitted from the speaker 152 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The announcement may comprise a verbal warningthat the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 isbeing recorded. The unauthorized person, upon being informed that thearea about the A/V recording and communication device 130 is beingrecorded, may decide to flee the scene without absconding with theparcel(s). In some of the present embodiments, the alert may compriseboth an audible alarm and an announcement in combination. Also in someof the present embodiments, the alert may comprise any combination of analert signal sent to a client device, an audible alarm emitted from thespeaker 152 of the A/V recording and communication device 130, and anannouncement emitted from the speaker 152 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130.

In some of the present embodiments, the alert may be similar to that ofthe user alert 472 described below. In the alternative, the user alert472 described below may be similar to the alert described above in someof the present embodiments.

Some of the present embodiments may comprise identifying a parcel withinthe area about the A/V recording and communication device 130. In someof the present embodiments, identifying the parcel may comprise thecamera 154 of the A/V recording and communication device 130 capturingan image of an identifying mark on the parcel. In various embodiments,the identifying mark may be, for example, a company logo or otheridentifying symbol. The identifying mark on the parcel may be comparedwith a plurality of identifying marks in a database. If a match isfound, the parcel may be identified as originating with the senderassociated with the matching identifying mark. In other embodiments, theidentifying mark may be, for example, a barcode, a matrix code, abokode, etc. In some of the present embodiments, RFID (or other similartechnology) may be used to identify a parcel.

FIG. 36 illustrates an example embodiment of a process for deterringparcel theft with an A/V recording and communication device according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. At block B350, the processmay determine that a parcel has been left within an area about an A/Vrecording and communication device, such as the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 described above. The present embodimentsencompass any method of determining that a parcel has been left withinan area about an A/V recording and communication device, including anyof the examples described above. The present embodiments are not,however, limited to these examples, which are provided for illustrationonly.

With further reference to FIG. 36, at block B352, after the parcel hasbeen left within the area about the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130, the process may detect a person within the area about theA/V recording and communication device 130. The detection of the personwithin the area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 maybe according to any of the processes described herein, such as, forexample, comparing video frames recorded by the camera 154 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130.

With further reference to FIG. 36, at block B354 the process may record,with the camera 154 of the A/V recording and communication device 130,video images of the person within the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. At block B356, the process may emit an alertfrom the speaker 152 of the A/V recording and communication device 130.The alert may comprise an audible alarm and/or an announcement, similarto the example embodiments described above.

In some of the present embodiments, the processes described above may beperformed automatically when a parcel is detected within the area aboutthe A/V recording and communication device 130. In other embodiments,processes similar to those described above may only be performed inresponse to a user command. For example, one aspect of the presentembodiments may provide an option to a user for enabling and/ordisabling a parcel protection feature or mode. An option toenable/disable the parcel protection mode may be presented to the user,for example, through a graphical user interface (GUI) of an applicationexecuting on the user's client device 114. The GUI may also provideother options (e.g., receiving motion alerts, etc.), in addition to theparcel protection mode, for the user to select or unselect (e.g., toenable or disable).

In one example embodiment, the user may manually enable parcelprotection mode in response to a notification that a parcel has beendelivered. For example, with reference to FIG. 37, at block B360 theuser may receive a notification that a parcel has been delivered (e.g.,left within the field of view of the camera 154). The notification maybe received in several different ways. For example, the parcel carriermay press the front button 148 of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130, thereby initiating a call to the user's client device 114.The user may answer the call and speak to the parcel carrier, who mayinform the user that his or her parcel has been delivered and left inthe area about the A/V recording and communication device 130. Inanother example, the call to the user's client device 114 may beinitiated automatically by the A/V recording and communication device130 in response to detecting the presence of the parcel carrier, such asby using the camera 154 for motion detection and/or a separate motionsensor. The user may then view live streaming video of the parceldelivery event (or subsequently view recorded video of the parceldelivery event) and thereby be informed of the parcel delivery withoutactually speaking to the parcel carrier. In yet another example, the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 may detect the delivery of theparcel, for example using any of the techniques described herein, andmay then send a notification to the user's client device 114, forexample in the form of an alert (e.g., a push notification).

Regardless of the form of notification, and with further reference toFIG. 37, at block B362 the user may manually enable parcel protectionmode, such as, for example, using an application executing on the user'sclient device 114, as described above. In some of the presentembodiments, the option to enable parcel protection mode may bepresented to the user in conjunction with the notification sent to theuser's client device 114, for example in the form of an alert (e.g., apush notification). If the user enables parcel protection mode, then atblock B364 the process of FIG. 37 advances to block B302 of FIG. 27and/or block B352 of FIG. 36. In some of the present embodiments,however, if the user declines to enable parcel protection mode, thenparcel protection mode may remain inactive, and the operations shown inblocks B302-B306 of FIG. 27 and blocks B362-B366 of FIG. 36 would not beperformed.

As described above, a user may disable the parcel protection modemanually in the same manner that the user enables this feature/mode(e.g., through a GUI of an application that is associated with the A/Vrecording and communication device). Some of the present embodiments mayalso disable the parcel protection mode automatically (e.g., without auser's intervention). Some such embodiments may disable the parcelprotection mode when a parcel is removed from an area about an A/Vrecording and communication device by an authorized person (e.g., thehomeowner, a friend or family member of the homeowner, or any otherperson authorized by the homeowner). Different embodiments may realizethat a parcel is removed (e.g., from the field of view of a camera of anA/V recording and communication device) by an authorized person throughdifferent methods. Some aspects of the present embodiments may verify aperson as an authorized person by authenticating the person'sbiometrics. As an example, one aspect of the present embodimentsidentifies the person's face (e.g., by performing a face recognitionprocess, as described above) and compares the identification data withone or more databases that contain authorized persons' identificationdata.

Some of the present embodiments may disable a parcel protection modewhen these embodiments determine that an authorized user is at, orwithin a threshold vicinity of, the location of the parcel. Some of thepresent embodiments make such a determination by comparing a currentlocation of the authorized user (e.g., by locating a client device thatthe user carries) and the location of the parcel. Some other embodimentsmay determine that a parcel is picked up by an authorized person whenthe parcel moves in a specific direction (e.g., toward the house insteadof away from the house). Some of the present embodiments may realizethat the parcel is being moved toward the house, e.g., by comparing asequence of video images of the moving parcel captured by a camera ofthe A/V recording and communication device. Some other embodiments mayuse an AIDC module (e.g., an RFID reader) of the A/V recording andcommunication device to determine the direction of movement of a parcel(e.g., when the parcel includes a barcode, a matrix code, an RFID tag,etc.).

In any of the present embodiments, various aspects of methods may beperformed locally, e.g. by one or more components of the A/V recordingand communication device 130, and/or remotely, e.g. by one or morenetwork devices, such as the server 118 and/or the backend API 120, forexample. For example, the processor 160 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 may perform various aspects such as, but notlimited to, comparing video frames recorded by the camera 154 of the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 to determine whether a parcel hasbeen left within the area about the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 and/or that the parcel has been removed from the area aboutthe A/V recording and communication device 130.

Many of the present embodiments have been described with reference topersons detected by, or present in the area about, the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The present embodiments are not limited,however, to scenarios involving humans. For example, the presentembodiments contemplate that a parcel thief need not be a human. Aparcel theft bot or drone, for example, may be encompassed by any of thepresent embodiments. For example, in a process similar to any processdescribed herein, after a parcel has been left within the area about theA/V recording and communication device 130, the process may detect aparcel theft bot or drone within the area about the A/V recording andcommunication device 130. The process may also record, with the camera154 of the A/V recording and communication device 130, video images ofthe parcel theft bot or drone within the area about the A/V recordingand communication device 130.

Any of the present embodiments may comprise a designated parcel deliveryarea. For example, a user may designate a particular area about the A/Vrecording and communication device 130 as a parcel delivery area. Theparcel delivery area may be demarcated in any suitable manner, such aswith markings and/or text provided on the pavement and/or adjacentwall(s). Processes of determining whether a parcel has been left withinthe area about the A/V recording and communication device 130 and/ordetermining whether the parcel has been removed from the area about theA/V recording and communication device 130 may comprise determiningwhether an object has been left within and/or removed from thedesignated parcel delivery area. The user may, in some of the presentembodiments, direct or aim the camera 154 of the A/V recording andcommunication device 130 toward the designated parcel delivery area tofacilitate determining whether an object has been left within and/orremoved from the designated parcel delivery area.

FIG. 38 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system 1100 forcommunicating in a network according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The system 1100 may include one or more A/V recording andcommunication devices 1102 configured to access a user's network 1104(which may correspond to the user's network 110) to connect to a network(Internet/PSTN) 1106 (in some embodiments, the A/V recording andcommunication devices 1102 may be configured to connect directly to thenetwork (Internet/PSTN) 1106, such as over a cellular connection). Theone or more A/V recording and communication devices 1102 may include anyor all of the components and/or functionality of the A/V recording andcommunication device 100 (FIGS. 1-2), the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 302 (FIGS. 3-5), the security camera 602 (FIGS.6-7), and/or the floodlight controller 802 (FIGS. 24-26).

The user's network 1104 may include any or all of the components and/orfunctionality of the user's network 110 described herein.

The system 1100 may further include a smart-home hub device 1112 (whichmay alternatively be referred to herein as the hub device 1112)connected to the user's network 1104. The smart-home hub device 1112(also known as a home automation hub, gateway device, etc.), maycomprise any device that facilitates communication with and control ofthe sensors 1114, automation devices 1116, and/or the one or more A/Vrecording and communication devices 1102. For example, the smart-homehub device 1112 may be a component of a home automation system installedat a property. In some embodiments, the A/V recording and communicationdevices 1102, the sensors 1114, and/or the automation devices 1116 maycommunicate with the smart-home hub device 1112 directly and/orindirectly via the user's network 1104 and/or the network(Internet/PSTN) 1106. In some of the present embodiments, the A/Vrecording and communication devices 1102, the sensors 1114, and/or theautomation devices 1116 may, in addition to or in lieu of communicatingwith the smart-home hub device 1112, communicate with the client devices1108, 1110 and/or one or more of the components of the network ofservers/backend devices 1118 directly and/or indirectly via the user'snetwork 1104 and/or the network (Internet/PSTN) 1106.

Home automation, or smart home, is building automation for the home. Itinvolves the control and automation of various devices and/or systems,such as lighting, heating (such as smart thermostats), ventilation, airconditioning (HVAC), blinds/shades, and security, as well as homeappliances, such as washers/dryers, ovens, or refrigerators/freezers.Wi-Fi is often used for remote monitoring and control. Smart homedevices (e.g., the hub device 1112, the sensors 1114, the automationdevices 1116, the A/V recording and communication devices 1102, etc.),when remotely monitored and controlled via the network (Internet/PSTN)1106, may be considered to be components of the Internet of Things.Smart home systems may include switches and/or sensors (e.g., thesensors 1114) connected to a central hub such as the smart-home hubdevice 1112, sometimes called a gateway, from which the system may becontrolled with a user interface. The user interface may include any orall of a wall-mounted terminal (e.g., a keypad, a touchscreen, etc.),software installed on the client devices 1108, 1110 (e.g., a mobileapplication), a tablet computer or a web interface, often but not alwaysvia Internet cloud services. The home automation system may use one ormore communication protocols, including either or both of wired andwireless protocols, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, X10, Ethernet,RS-485, 6LoWPAN, Bluetooth LE (BTLE), ZigBee, and Z-Wave.

The one or more sensors 1114 may include, for example, at least one of adoor sensor, a window sensor, a contact sensor, a tilt sensor, atemperature sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke detector, a lightsensor, a glass break sensor, a freeze sensor, a flood sensor, amoisture sensor, a motion sensor, and/or other sensors that may providethe user/owner of the security system a notification of a security eventat his or her property.

The one or more automation devices 1116 may include, for example, atleast one of an outdoor lighting system, an indoor lighting system, andindoor/outdoor lighting system, a temperature control system (e.g., athermostat), a shade/blind control system, a locking control system(e.g., door lock, window lock, etc.), a home entertainment automationsystem (e.g., TV control, sound system control, etc.), an irrigationcontrol system, a wireless signal range extender (e.g., a Wi-Fi rangeextender, a Z-Wave range extender, etc.) a doorbell chime, a barriercontrol device (e.g., an automated door hinge), a smart doormat, and/orother automation devices.

As described herein, in some of the present embodiments, some or all ofthe user's network 1104, the client devices 1108, 1110, the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102, the smart-home hub device 1112,the sensors 1114, and the automation devices 1116 may be referred to asa security system, which may be installed at a property or premises.

With further reference to FIG. 38, the system 1100 may also includevarious backend devices such as (but not limited to) storage devices1120, backend server 1122, and backend APIs 1124 that may be in networkcommunication (e.g., over the user's network 1104 and/or the network(Internet/PSTN) 1106) with the A/V recording and communication devices1102, the hub device 1112, the client devices 1108, 1110, the sensors1114, and/or the automation devices 1116. In some embodiments, thestorage devices 1120 may be a separate device from the backend server1122 (as illustrated) or may be an integral component of the backendserver 1122. The storage devices 1120 may be similar in structure and/orfunction to the storage device 116 (FIG. 1). In addition, in someembodiments, the backend server 1122 and backend APIs 1124 may besimilar in structure and/or function to the server 118 and the backendAPI 122 (FIG. 1), respectively.

With further reference to FIG. 38, the system 1100 may also include asecurity monitoring service 1126. The security monitoring service 1126may be operated by the same company that manufactures, sells, and/ordistributes the A/V recording and communication devices 1102, the hubdevice 1112, the sensors 1114, and/or the automation devices 1116. Inother embodiments, the security monitoring service 1126 may be operatedby a third-party company (e.g., a different company than the one thatmanufactured, sold, and/or distributed the A/V recording andcommunication devices 1102, the hub device 1112, the sensors 1114,and/or the automation devices 1116). In any of the present embodiments,the security monitoring service 1126 may have control of at least someof the features and components of the security system (e.g., thesecurity monitoring service 1126 may be able to arm and/or disarm thesecurity system, lock and/or unlock doors, activate and/or deactivateone or more of the sensors 1114 and/or the automation devices 1116,etc.). Once disarmed, the security system is in a disarmed mode. Forexample, the security monitoring service 1126 may operate and controltheir own client devices and/or network of servers/backend devices formonitoring and/or controlling security systems. In such an example, theA/V recording and communication devices 1102, the hub device 1112, thesensors 1114, and/or the automation devices 1116 may communicate withthe client devices and/or one or more components of the network ofservers/backend devices of the security monitoring service 1126 over thenetwork (Internet/PSTN) 1106 (in some embodiments, via one or more ofthe components of the network of backend servers/backend devices 1118).

The system 1100 may also include one or more client devices 1108, 1110(alternatively referred to herein as a “client device 1108, 1110”),which in various embodiments may be configured to be in networkcommunication and/or associated with the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102, the hub device 1112, the automation device 1116, and/or thesensors 1114. The client devices 1108, 1110 may comprise, for example, amobile phone such as a smartphone, or a computing device such as atablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc. In someembodiments, the client devices 1108, 1110 may include a connecteddevice, such as a smart watch, Bluetooth headphones, another wearabledevice, or the like. In such embodiments, the client devices 1108, 1110may include a combination of the smartphone or other device and aconnected device (e.g., a wearable device), such that alerts, data,and/or information received by the smartphone or other device areforwarded to the connected device, and one or more controls of thesmartphone or other device may be input using the connected device(e.g., by touch, voice, etc.). The client devices 1108, 1110 may includeany or all of the components and/or functionality of the client device114 (FIG. 1) and/or the client device 2502 described herein. In someembodiments, one or more of the client devices 1108, 1110 may not beassociated with the A/V recording and communication device 1102.

FIG. 39 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of theA/V recording and communication device 1102 according to various aspectsof the present disclosure. The A/V recording and communication device1102 may comprise a processing module 446 that is operatively connectedto a camera 444, a microphone 445, a speaker 448, a motion sensor 474,and a communication module 450. The processing module 446 may comprise aprocessor 452, volatile memory 454, and non-volatile memory 456 thatincludes a device application 458. In various embodiments, the deviceapplication 458 may configure the processor 452 to capture image data460 using the camera 444, audio data 462 using the microphone 445, inputdata 1228 using the button 148 (and/or the camera 444 and/or the motionsensor 474, depending on the embodiment), and/or motion data 468 usingat least one of the camera 444 or the motion sensor 474. In some of thepresent embodiments, the device application 458 may also configure theprocessor 452 to generate text data 464 describing the image data 460,such as in the form of metadata, for example. In other embodiments, thetext data 464 describing the image data 460 may be generated by a userusing the client device 404, 406 associated with the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102. In addition, the device application 458 mayconfigure the processor 452 to transmit the image data 460, the inputdata 1228, the audio data 462, the motion data 468, and/or the text data464 to the client device 404, 406 using the communication module 450. Invarious embodiments, the device application 458 may also configure theprocessor 452 to generate and transmit an output signal 466 that mayinclude the image data 460, the input data 1228, the audio data 462, thetext data 464 and/or the motion data 468. In some of the presentembodiments, the output signal 466 may be transmitted to a backenddevice, such as the backend server(s) 430, using the communicationmodule 450, and the backend devices may transfer the output signal 466to the client device 404, 406. In other embodiments, the output signal466 may be transmitted directly to the client device 404, 406.

In further reference to FIG. 39, the image data 460 may comprise imagesensor data such as (but not limited to) exposure values and dataregarding pixel values for a particular sized grid. Further, the imagedata 460 may comprise converted image sensor data for standard imagefile formats such as (but not limited to) JPEG, JPEG 2000, TIFF, BMP, orPNG. In addition, the image data 460 may also comprise data related tovideo, where such data may include (but is not limited to) imagesequences, frame rates, and the like. Moreover, the image data 460 mayinclude data that is analog, digital, compressed, uncompressed, and/orin vector formats.

In some of the present embodiments, the image data 460 may also includefacial recognition, facial detection, biometric recognition, objectrecognition, object detection, AIDC, and/or other information about thepersons and/or objects in the image data 460. The facial recognition,facial detection, biometric recognition, object recognition, objectdetection, AIDC, and/or other information may be generated in responseto using facial recognition software, facial detection software, objectrecognition, object detection, and/or biometric analysis software, forexample, as described above. The facial recognition, facial detection,biometric recognition, object recognition, object detection, AIDC,and/or other information may be included in the image data 460 foranalysis in some of the present embodiments.

The image data 460 may take on various forms and formats as appropriateto the requirements of a specific application in accordance with thepresent embodiments. As described herein, the term “record” may also bereferred to as “capture” as appropriate to the requirements of aspecific application in accordance with the present embodiments.

In further reference to FIG. 39, the motion data 468 may comprise datagenerated by a motion detector having motion detection rules 470. Themotion detector may be the motion sensor 474 and/or the camera 444,depending on the specific embodiment. For example, in embodiments thatuse motion sensors 474 such as PIRs, the motion data 468 may includevoltage data generated by the motion sensor 474 in response to thepresence of infrared radiation. In some of the present embodiments, themotion data 468 may also comprise time-based and/or location-basedinformation such as the amount of time a motion event is detected and/orthe location of the motion event in the field of view of the motionsensor 474 and/or the field of view of the camera 444 (e.g., Zones 1-5(FIG. 20), the location within one of the Zones 1-5, and/or theproximity to the A/V recording and communication device 1102). Dependenton the type of motion sensor 474 implemented in a given embodiment, themotion data 468 may include the data type (e.g., voltage) generatedspecific to the type of motion sensor 474 (e.g., PIR, microwave,acoustic, etc.). The motion sensor 474 of FIG. 34 is illustrated withdashed lines to indicate that the motion sensor 474 may not be a featureof the A/V recording and communication device 1102 and/or may not beused in certain embodiments (e.g., the A/V recording and communicationdevice 130 of FIG. 3-13).

In embodiments where the A/V recording and communication device 1102 issimilar to that of the A/V recording and communication device 130 ofFIGS. 3-13, the motion data 468 may be generated solely by the camera444. As such, the detection of a motion event, the determination ofwhether a motion event is caused by the movement of a person and/orobject in a field of view of the A/V recording and communication device1102, and/or the speed and/or location of a person and/or object in thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device 1102 may bedetermined using the motion data 468 generated by the camera 444, forexample.

The motion data 468 may further include an estimated speed and/ordirection data of the person and/or object that caused the motion event.For example, the motion data 468 may include an estimated speed of aperson and/or object (e.g., a parcel) passing in a field of view of themotion sensor 474 and/or the camera 444. For another example, the motiondata 468 may include a direction that a person and/or object in front ofthe motion sensor 474 and/or camera 444 is traveling, such as toward oraway from the A/V recording and communication device 1102 or from withinthe parcel boundary 475. As described above, the direction of themovement of the parcel may be used in determining whether or not theremoval of the parcel is authorized.

In some of the present embodiments, the motion data 468 may includeinformation pertaining to a status of a parcel in the field of view ofthe motion detector (e.g., the camera 444 and/or the motion sensor 474).For example, the motion data 468 may include information about themovement of the parcel in the field of view of the motion detector, suchas information of the parcel's movement within and from within theparcel boundary 475. As such, the motion detection rules 470 and/or theparcel monitoring rules 473 may include rules for generating the motiondata 468 specific to the parcel and/or the parcel boundary 475. As aresult, the motion data 468 may be different for each parcel that entersthe field of view of the motion detector, as each parcel may have aunique parcel boundary 475, may be located in a unique location withinthe field of view of the motion detector, and/or may be a unique parcelshape and/or size, for example.

With further reference to FIG. 39, the motion detection rules 470 mayinclude rules for generating motion data 468, analyzing motion data 468,and/or executing tasks and/or commands in response to the analysis ofthe motion data 468. The A/V recording and communication device 1102 mayhave motion detection rules 470 specific to persons and/or objects.

In some of the present embodiments, the motion detection rules 470 mayinclude parcel monitoring rules 473 for monitoring parcels in the fieldof view of the motion detector (e.g., the camera 444 and/or the motionsensor 474). The parcel monitoring rules 473 may include rules specificto the parcel boundary 475. For example, the parcel monitoring rules 473may adjust the motion detection rules 470 within the parcel boundary475, such as by increasing the sensitivity of the motion detector withinthe parcel boundary 475. As an example, in embodiments using the motionsensor 474, any movement within the parcel boundary 475 may trigger auser alert 472. As another example, less movement may be required fortriggering a user alert 472 when the movement occurs within the parcelboundary 475 than when the movement occurs outside of the parcelboundary 475. As another example, in embodiments using the camera 444 asthe motion detector, the amount of change (e.g., changed pixels) withinthe parcel boundary 475 between successive frames of the image data 460required to trigger the monitoring action may be less than the amount ofchange required outside of the parcel boundary 475. For example, anychange within the parcel boundary 475 may trigger a determination thatthe parcel is being moved from within the parcel boundary, and maytrigger the monitoring action.

The parcel boundary 475 may be an artificial boundary around a parcel inthe image data 460. The parcel boundary 475 may be used in a “parcelprotection mode,” for example, as described above. In some of thepresent embodiments, the parcel boundary 475 may be created by the user,such as illustrated in FIG. 52. In FIG. 52, a parcel boundary 712 iscreated by a user using his or her finger 715 to draw the parcelboundary 712 around the parcel 711 on the display 731 of the clientdevice 404. The user may first select the draw parcel boundary icon 719,and then proceed to draw the parcel boundary 712 on the display 731. Insuch an embodiment, the parcel boundary 712 may be any shape dictated bythe shape drawn by the finger 715 of the user. In some of the presentembodiments, when the user draws the parcel boundary 712, the parcelboundary 712 may be uneven, messy, and/or jagged, for example. In suchembodiments, the parcel boundary 712 may be adjusted by the processor ofthe client device 404, 406 to conform to a more recognizable shape. Forexample, if the user draws a parcel boundary 712 resembling a circle,but uneven and messy, the parcel boundary may be updated to reflect amore conforming and/or seamless circle of similar size to the drawnparcel boundary 712. In some embodiments, the client device 404, 406 maynot include a touchscreen. In such embodiments, the user may draw theparcel boundary 712 using any input device, rather than a finger 715.Non-limiting examples of input devices include a mouse, a trackball, atouchpad, a joystick, a pointing stick, a stylus, etc.

In other embodiments, the user may be able to select a general parcelboundary shape such as a square or circle, for example, as illustratedin FIG. 43. In FIG. 43, the user may first select the circle parcelboundary icon 723 such that a circle may appear on the display 731. Theuser may then use his or her fingers 715 to maneuver the parcel boundary712 around the display 731 and/or to adjust the size and/or shape of theparcel boundary 712 (e.g., enlarge the circle, lengthen the circle alongan axis to create more of an oval shape, etc.). For example, the usermay increase the size of the parcel boundary 712 to the size of theparcel boundary 712-2. The GUI may also include the square parcelboundary icon 721 for creating a square parcel boundary 475, and/or anyother shaped parcel boundary icon.

In yet another embodiment, the parcel boundary 475 may be generatedautomatically. In such embodiments, the user may select the automaticdetection mode (ADM) icon 752, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 53.As a result, the processor of the client device 404 may locate, withinthe image data 460, the parcel 711 and generate the parcel boundary 712around the parcel 711. The parcel boundary 712 may conform to the shapeof the parcel 711, as illustrated in FIG. 53, or may be another shape,such as a circle or square, for example. In addition to selecting an ADMicon 752, the user may also be able to select the size of the parcelboundary 712. For example, the user may be able to select the size ofthe parcel boundary 712 relative to the parcel 711. In such an example,the user may be able to select a small, medium, or large parcel boundary712. A small, or standard, parcel boundary 712 may conform substantiallyto the shape and size of the parcel 711, while medium and large parcelboundaries may be larger than, but substantially the same shape as, theparcel 711. For example, a medium parcel boundary 712 may be 50% to 75%larger than the parcel, and a large parcel boundary 712 may be 100% to200% larger than the parcel. As such, the sizes of the parcel boundary712 may correlate to the size of the parcel. In other embodiments, thesizes of the parcel boundary 712 may be the same irrespective of theparcel 711 size.

The automatic detection mode may use computer vision, such as objectdetection, similar to that described above, to determine the location ofthe parcel within the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102. Once the location, size, and shape of theparcel is determined, the parcel boundary 475 may be generated aroundthe parcel in the field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102.

In some examples, the determination of whether to implement a parcelprotection mode may be based on various sensors. In some examples, aparcel protection mode may not be used if the security monitoringservice 1126 indicates that a security system is armed or activated. Theone or more alarm activation modes may include, but are not limited to,an armed stay mode, an armed away mode, an armed vacation mode, adisarmed mode, and/or other modes, which may be customized by a user.For example, in the armed stay mode, the sensors 1114 inside theproperty (e.g., the motion sensors) may be disarmed, while the sensors1114 (e.g., the door sensors, the window sensors, etc.) outside andalong a perimeter of the property and/or the A/V recording andcommunication devices 1102 may be armed. Additionally, during the armedstay mode, at least one of the automation devices 1116 (e.g., anexterior automation system) may be activated between certain hours, suchas, but not limited to, 6:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. In the armed away mode,the sensors 1114 inside the property, the sensors 1114 outside and alongthe perimeter of the property, and/or the A/V recording andcommunication devices 1102 may be armed. Additionally, during the armedaway mode, at least one of the automation devices 1116 (e.g., aninterior and/or exterior automation system) may be activated betweencertain hours, such as, but not limited to, 6:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Inthe armed vacation mode, the sensors 1114, the automation devices 1116,and/or the first A/V recording and communication devices 1102 may bearmed and disarmed similar to the armed away mode, however, any alertsand security events may additionally or alternatively be sent toneighbors and/or law enforcement.

In the disarmed mode, all of the sensors 1114 and/or the automationdevices 1114 may be disarmed. However, in the disarmed mode, one or morefirst A/V recording and communication devices 1102 (e.g., securitycameras, floodlight cameras, video doorbells, etc.) may be in an activestate for detecting motion and/or recording image data 1224 in the fieldof view of the one or more first A/V recording and communication devices1102. In the custom mode, the user/owner of the first security system1120 may configure each of the sensors 1114, the automation devices1116, and/or the A/V recording and communication devices 1102. Forexample, in the custom mode, “Summer,” the user/owner may arm each ofthe door sensors but disable the window sensors (e.g., where windows maybe left open for air flow). In addition, the user/owner may activateeach of the A/V recording and communication devices 1102 in the backyard to record between 8:00 am and 5:00 p.m. (e.g., because the kids mayregularly play in the back yard during the Summer months).

If the security system is disarmed, a determination may be made whetheror not to place the security system into a package protection mode. Oneaspect that may be used to make the determination is whether or not theproperty is unoccupied. Various technologies may be used to make thedetermination. For example, security system data, such as the image data460, may be analyzed to determine if a person has entered the propertybut not left the property. In another example, security system data,such as the motion data 468, may be used to analyze movement ofindividuals inside or outside of the property and into and out of theproperty to determine if there are occupants. In a still furtherexample, security system data, such as sensors such as microphones 446that provide sound data, may be used to pick up sounds inside theproperty, the presence of which may indicate that there are occupants inthe property. Other sensors such as, but not limited to, motion sensorsmay be used and are considered to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Another aspect that may be used if the property is determined to bevacant is the amount of time from the exit of the last person from theproperty to the time the parcel has been delivered. For example, it isnot unusual for a person to enter and leave a property multiple timesduring the day. Sometimes, the duration between when a person leaves andwhen the person comes back may be minimal, especially if the person isworking around the outside of the house. Thus, in occasions in which theamount of time from the exit of the last person from the property to thetime the parcel has been delivered is less than a threshold period oftime, even though the property may not be occupied and the securitysystem is disarmed, the parcel protection mode may not be entered.Reasons for establishing a threshold period of time may vary fromapplication to application. One reason establishing a threshold periodof time may be that if a person is working around the house and a parcelhas been delivered, it may not be desirable for the person to constantlyreceive alerts regarding the parcel protection mode just because theperson has not moved the parcel from the outside of the property to theinside of the property while the person is entering and leaving theproperty. Another reason for establishing a threshold period of time isthat after a period of time with no activity in and out of the property,it may be a reasonable assumption that the property is unoccupied. Forexample, if the motion data 468 or the image data 460 indicates thatthere are no occupants entering or leaving the property for a period ofa week, even if it cannot be determined that the property is unoccupied,that long of time would tend to indicate that the property isunoccupied. Processes and techniques to determine that the property isunoccupied are described below with regard to FIG. 40.

If the property is determined to be unoccupied, or in instances in whichthe property is occupied but package protection mode may still bedesirable, a package protection mode request to place the A/V recordingand communication device 1102 in package protection mode is transmittedto the client device 1110 or another device such as the client device1108. The request may be rendered on the client device 1108, 1110 as analert or other indication that a parcel has been delivered to theproperty and, based on various factors, the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 is requesting that the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 be placed in package protection mode. Asdescribed above, when placed in package protection mode, various motionsettings are updated.

In some examples, if an input is received at the client device 1108,1110 to place the A/V recording and communication device 1102 in packageprotection mode, the operation of the motion sensor 474 and camera 444is modified, as explained by way of example below. In some examples, ifa period of time expires after sending the package protection moderequest and no response is received from the client device 1108, 1110,the A/V recording and communication device 1102 may be automaticallyplaced in package protection mode. Having the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 automatically enter the package protectionmode after a period of time may have several advantages, especially ifthe client device 1108, 1110 is unattended, busy, or not incommunication with a cellular or communication network.

In some examples, various activation rules 478 may be used to determineif the package protection mode request is generated and requested. Someactivation rules 478 have been provided above. For example, in someconfigurations, a package protection mode request is not generated ifthe security system is disarmed. In other configurations, even if thesecurity system is armed, other factors may be used to determine ifpackage protection mode is desirable. For example, if the securitysystem is disarmed and the parcel is not removed from the deliverylocation for a period of time as determined by a timer 480, the packageprotection mode request may be generated and transmitted even though theproperty may be occupied. For example, a package may have been deliveredand the occupant may not be aware of the delivery of the parcel.

In some examples, a second A/V recording and communication device may beplaced in package protection mode in addition to the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102. For example, the second A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 may be installed in a location that the parcelor package delivered is also visible. To provide redundancy or backupthe A/V recording and communication device 1102, the second A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 may also, or in the alternative,be placed in the package protection mode. In some examples, the secondA/V recording and communication device 1102 may not be associated withthe security system of the A/V recording and communication device 1102.In these examples, the second A/V recording and communication device1102 may be associated with a second security system (e.g., of aneighbor).

FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram illustrating an embodiment of thesmart-home hub device 1112 (alternatively referred to herein as the “hubdevice 1112”) according to various aspects of the present disclosure.The hub device 1112 may be, for example, one or more of a Wi-Fi hub, asmart-home hub, a hub of a home security/alarm system, a gateway device,a hub for a legacy security/alarm system (e.g., a hub for connecting apre-existing security/alarm system to the network (Internet/PSTN) 1106for enabling remote control of the hub device 1112), and/or anothersimilar device. The hub device 1112 may comprise a processing module1302 that is operatively connected to a communication module 1304. Insome embodiments, the hub device 1112 may comprise one or more of acamera (not shown), a microphone (not shown), and a speaker (not shown).The processing module 1302 may comprise a processor 1306, volatilememory 1308, and non-volatile memory 1310, which includes a smart-homehub application 1312.

In various embodiments, the smart-home hub application 1312 mayconfigure the processor 1306 to receive sensor data from the sensors1114 and/or the automation devices 1116. For example, the sensor datamay include a current state (e.g., opened/closed for door and windowsensors, motion detected for motion sensors, living room lights on/offfor a lighting automation system, etc.) of each of the sensors 1114and/or the automation devices 1116. In some of the present embodiments,the sensor data may be received in response to sensor triggers. Thesensor triggers may be a door opening/closing, a window opening/closing,lights being turned on/off, blinds being opened/closed, etc. As such,the sensor data may include the current state of the sensors 1114 and/orthe automation devices 1116 as well as any updates to the current statebased on sensor triggers.

With further reference to FIG. 40, the smart-home hub application 1312may configure the processor 1306 to receive the audio data 1226, thetext data 1232, the image data 1224, the motion data 1230, the inputdata 1228, and/or the user alert 1234 from the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102/1102 (in some embodiments, via the backendserver 1122) using the communication module 1304. For example, the hubdevice 1112 may receive and/or retrieve (e.g., after receiving a signalfrom the A/V recording and communication device 1102 that the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 has been activated) the imagedata 1224, the input data 1228, and/or the motion data 1230 from the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 and/or the backend server 1122in response to motion being detected by the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102. In addition, the smart-home hub application1312 may configure the processor 1306 to receive control signals 1235from the client device 1108, 1110.

As described herein, at least some of the processes of the A/V recordingand communication device 1102/1102, the backend server 1122, and/or theclient device 1108, 1110 may be executed by the hub device 1112. Forexample, without limitation, a user alert 1234 may be generated by theprocessor 1306 and transmitted, using the communication module 1304, tothe client devices 1108, 1110, a client device associated with emergencyresponse personnel, the backend server 1122, and/or the hub device 1112.For example, in response to detecting motion using the camera 1204and/or the motion sensor 1208, the hub device 1112 may generate andtransmit the user alert 1234. In some of the present embodiments, theuser alert 1234 may include at least the image data 1224, the audio data1226, the text data 1232, and/or the motion data 1230. Additionally, oralternatively, in some embodiments, the user alert 1234 may include anindication that the hub device 1112 detected an occupant within aproperty that the hub device 1112 is monitoring. For example, the useralert 1234 may indicate a number of occupants, an identification of oneor more occupants, a property of one or more occupants within theproperty.

The hub device 1112 further stores occupancy data 1242 in thenon-volatile memory 1310. The occupancy data 1242 may be generated byreceiving inputs from other data sources. For example, the motion data1230 of the hub device 1112 may be used to generate, and/or may include,the occupancy data 1242. In other examples, biometric information may beused to generate the occupancy data 1242. For example, information abouta person entering or inside a property may be gleaned using technologiessuch as, but not limited to, fingerprints, palm veins, facialrecognition, three-dimensional facial recognition, skin textureanalysis, DNA, palm prints, hand geometry, iris recognition, retinarecognition, odor/scent recognition, typing rhythm, gait, and voicerecognition. The occupancy data 1242 may also be generated usingproperty-based or communication technologies. For a first example, acellular phone used by an occupant may register or connect with theBluetooth chip 840, indicating the presence of at least the cellulardevice within the property. For a second example, the occupancy data1242 may indicate geographic location(s) of the client device 1108,1110. In some examples, the occupancy data 1242 may be generated using,or include, the image data 1224 generated by the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102.

As described herein, at least some of the processes of the A/V recordingand communication device 1102, the backend server 1122, and/or theclient device 1108, 1110 may be executed by the hub device 1110. Forexample, the hub device 1110 may be used to control one or more devices,such as the A/V recording and communication device 1102, connected in asystem, such as the system 1100. In some examples, there may be reasonsfor placing the A/V recording and communication device 1102 in a packageprotection mode if a property to which a parcel is delivered isunoccupied or the occupants are unable to attend to the parcel. In theseexamples, the hub device 1110 may receive information that a parcel hasbeen delivered to a property and that the property is unoccupied. Thehub device 1110 may use the processor 1308 to determine the occupancy oruse data, such as the occupancy data 1242, to determine that a propertyis unoccupied.

In some examples, to determine that the property is unoccupied, the hubdevice 1112 may analyze the image data 1224 (e.g., occupancy data 1242)to determine that the image data 1224 depicts that occupants are notlocated at the property (e.g., not located within and/or outside of theproperty). In some examples, to determine that the property isunoccupied, the hub device 1112 may analyze the image data 1224 (e.g.,occupancy data 1242) to determine that the image data 1224 depictsoccupants leaving the property, but the image data 1224 does not depictthe occupants returning to the property. In some examples, to determinethat the property is unoccupied, the hub device 1112 may analyze motiondata 1230 (e.g., occupancy data 1242) to determine that motion has notbeen detected at the property (e.g., motion has not been detected withinand/or outside of the property). In some examples, to determine that theproperty is unoccupied, the hub device 1112 may determine that thesecurity system is operating in one or more specific modes, such as thearmed away mode.

In some examples, to determine that the property is unoccupied, the hubdevice 1112 may analyze audio data (e.g., occupancy data 1242) todetermine that sounds at the property indicate that the property isunoccupied. For example, the hub device 1112 may determine, based on theanalysis, that the audio data 1226 does not represent user speech at theproperty. In some examples, to determine that the property isunoccupied, the hub device 1112 may utilize the geographic location(s)of the client devices 1108, 1110 to determine that the client device1108, 1110 are located outside of the property and/or located athreshold distance from the property. The threshold distance mayinclude, but is not limited to, one hundred feet, five hundred feet, onethousand feet, one mile, and/or the like.

In some examples, to determining that the property is unoccupied, thehub device 1112 may utilize image data 460 and/or motion data 1230generated by a second A/V recording and communication device 1102. Forexample, the hub device 1112 may transmit, using the communicationmodule 1304, an occupancy query 476 to the second A/V recording andcommunication device 1102. The hub device 1112 may then receive, usingthe communication module 1304, image data 460 and/or motion data 1230generated by the second A/V recording and communication device 1102. Thehub device 1112 may then analyze the image data 460 and/or the motiondata 1230 (e.g., occupancy data 1242), using the processes above, todetermine that the property is unoccupied.

In some examples, when determining that a property is unoccupied, thehub device 1112 may utilize one or more threshold periods of time. Athreshold period of time may include, but is not limited to, one minute,five minutes, ten minutes, thirty minutes, and/or the like. For example,in any of the examples above, based on determining that the parcel is atthe property, the hub device 1112 may determine that the occupancy data1242 indicates that the property has been occupied for a thresholdperiod of time. For a second example, after determining that the parcelis at the property, the hub device 1112 may continue to analyze theoccupancy data 1234 to determine that the property remains unoccupiedfor a threshold period of time.

Based on determining that the parcel is at the property and the propertyis unoccupied (e.g., for the threshold period of time, the hub device1112 may transmit, using the communication module 1304, a request 486 tothe client device 1108, 1110, where the request 486 is to place the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 (and/or another A/V recordingand communication device 1102) in the package protection mode. The hubdevice 1110 may then receive, using the communication module 1304, amessage 482 from the client device 1108, 1110, where the message 482indicates (e.g., instructs the hub device 1112) to place the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 in the package protection mode.The hub device 1110 may thereafter place the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 in the package protection mode. For example,the hub device 1112 may transmit, using the communication module 450, asignal 484 to the A/V recording and communication device 1112, where thesignal 484 is configured to cause the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102 to operate in the package protection mode.

In some examples, the hub device 1112 may take one or more additionalactions based on receiving the message 482. For example, the hub device1112 may transmit, using the communication module 1304, a second signal484 to a second A/V recording and communication device 1102. The secondsignal 484 may be configured to cause the second A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 to operate in the package protection mode. Insome examples, the message 482 may indicate to place the second A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 in the package protection mode.In some examples, the message 482 may not indicate to place the secondA/V recording and communication device 1102 in the package protectionmode.

In some examples, if the hub device 1112 does not receive the message482 from the client device 1108, 1110 for a threshold period of time,then the hub device 1112 may take one or more actions. The thresholdperiod of time may include, but is not limited to, one minute, fiveminutes, ten minutes, thirty minutes, and/or the like. For a firstexample, the hub device 1112 may transmit, using the communicationmodule 1304, a second request 486 to a second client device (e.g., asecond client device 1108, 1110), where the second request 486 is toplace the A/V recording and communication device 1102 in the packageprotection mode. For a second example, the hub device 1112 mayautomatically transmit, using the communication module 1304, the signal484 to the A/V recording and communication device 1102 that causes theA/V recording and communication device 1102 to operate in the packageprotection mode.

FIG. 41 is a functional block diagram illustrating one embodiment of thebackend server(s) 1122 according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The backend server(s) 1122 may comprise a processing module500 comprising a processor 502, volatile memory 504, a communicationmodule 520, and non-volatile memory 506. The communication module 520may allow the backend server(s) 1122 to access and communicate withdevices connected to the network (Internet/PSTN) 410. The non-volatilememory 506 may include a server application 508 that configures theprocessor 502 to receive the image data 460, the audio data 462, thetext data 464, and/or the motion data 468 received from the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 in the output signal 466, forexample. In various embodiments, and as described below, the backendserver(s) 1122 may be configured to receive, from the client device 404,406, a first selection of a parcel boundary 475 for monitoring a parcelwithin the parcel boundary 475, and a second selection of a monitoringaction (e.g., generating the user alert 472) to be executed in responseto the parcel being moved from within the parcel boundary 475, andgenerate and transmit, based on the first and second selections, theparcel monitoring rules 473 to the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102. In various embodiments, the backend server(s) 1122 may beconfigured to transmit an occupancy query 476 or a package protectionmode request from the A/V recording and communication device 1102.

In further reference to FIG. 41, the non-volatile memory 506 may alsoinclude source identifying data 510 that may be used to identify the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102. In some of the presentembodiments, identifying the A/V recording and communication device 1102may include determining the location of the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102, which location may be used to determine whichclient device(s) 1108, 1110 will receive the user alert 472 and/or theimage data 460. In addition, the source identifying data 510 may be usedto determine location(s) of the client device(s) 1108, 1110. In some ofthe present embodiments, the server application 508 may furtherconfigure the processor 502 to generate and transmit a report signal(not shown) to a third-party client device (not shown), which may beassociated with a law enforcement agency, for example. The report signalsent to the law enforcement agency may include information indicating anapproximate location of where the image data 460 was captured, which mayassist the law enforcement agency with apprehending the criminalperpetrator shown in the image data 460.

As described herein, at least some of the processes of the A/V recordingand communication device 1102, the hub device 111, and/or the clientdevice 1108, 1110 may be executed by the backend server 1122. Forexample, the backend server 1122 may be used to control one or moredevices, such as the hub device 1112, the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102, connected in system, such as the system 1100.In some examples, there may be reasons for placing the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 in a package protection mode if a property towhich a parcel is delivered is unoccupied or the occupants are unable toattend to the parcel. In these examples, the backend server 1122 maydetermine that parcel has been delivered to the property. In someexamples, the backend server 1122 makes the determination based onanalyzing image data 460 and, based on the analysis, determines that theimage data 460 depicts the parcel at the property. In some examples, thebackend server 1122 makes the determination based on receivinginformation indicating that the parcel is at the property.

The backend server 1112 may then utilize the occupancy data 1242 todetermine that the property is unoccupied and/or has been unoccupied fora threshold period of time. Based on the determination, the backendserver 1122 may transmit, using the communication module 520 and to theclient device 1108, 1110, a request 486 to place the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 in the package protection mode. The backendserver 1122 may then receive, using the communication module, a message482 from the client device 1108, 1110, the message 482 indicating(and/or instructing the backend server 1122) to place the A/V recordingand communication device 1102 the package protection mode. The backendserver 1122 may thereafter place the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102 in the package protection mode. For example, the backendserver 1122 may transmit, using the communication module 520, a signal484 to the A/V recording and communication device 1122, where the signal484 is configured to cause the A/V recording and communication device1122 to operate in the package protection mode.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 39 and 41, the various componentsincluding (but not limited to) the processing modules 446, 500, thecommunication module 450, and the communication module 520 arerepresented by separate boxes. The graphical representations depicted ineach of FIGS. 23-24 are, however, merely examples, and are not intendedto indicate that any of the various components of the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 or the backend server(s) 1122 are necessarilyphysically separate from one another, although in some of the presentembodiments they might be. In other embodiments, however, the structureand/or functionality of any or all of the components of A/V recordingand communication device 1102 may be combined. In addition, in some ofthe present embodiments the communication module 450 may include its ownprocessor, volatile memory, and/or non-volatile memory. Further, thestructure and/or functionality of any or all of the components of thebackend server(s) 1122 may be combined. In addition, in some of thepresent embodiments the communication module 520 may include its ownprocessor, volatile memory, and/or non-volatile memory.

The hub device 1112 and/or the backend server 1122 may alternatively bereferred to herein as “network devices.”

Now referring to FIG. 42, FIG. 42 is a functional block diagramillustrating one embodiment of a client device 1108, 1110 according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. The client device 1108, 1110may comprise a processing module 1502 that is operatively connected toan input interface 1504, microphone(s) 1506, a speaker 1508, and acommunication module 1510. The client device 1108, 1110 may furthercomprise a camera (not shown) operatively connected to the processingmodule 1502. The processing module 1502 may comprise a processor 1512,volatile memory 1514, and non-volatile memory 1516, which includes adevice application 1518. In various embodiments, the device application1518 may configure the processor 1512 to receive input(s) to the inputinterface 1504 (e.g., requests for access to the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102) and/or to capture the audio data 1240 usingthe microphone(s) 1506, for example. In addition, the device application1518 may configure the processor 1512 to receive the input data 1228,the image data 1224, the audio data 1226, the output signal 1236, and/orthe user alert 1234 from one or more of the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102, the hub device 1112, or the backend server1122.

With further reference to FIG. 42, the input interface 1504 may includea display 1520. The display 1520 may include a touchscreen, such thatthe user of the client device 1108, 1110 may provide inputs directly tothe display 1520 (e.g., a request for access to the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102). In some embodiments, the client device 1108,1110 may not include a touchscreen. In such embodiments, and inembodiments where the client device 1108, 1110 includes the touchscreen,the user may provide an input using any input device, such as, withoutlimitation, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, a joystick, a pointingstick, a stylus, etc.

In some of the present embodiments, the processor 1512 of the clientdevice 1108, 1110 may receive, using the communication module 1510, thepackage protection mode request 1238. The device application 1518 mayconfigure the processor 1512 to cause the display 1520 to display thepackage protection mode request 1238 (or information describing thepackage protection mode request 1238) and/or a suggestion. In responseto receiving input from the user including an acceptance or a rejectionof the package protection mode request 1238, the client device 1108,1110 may transmit, using the communication module 1510, an indication ofacceptance or rejection of the package protection mode request 1238. Theindication may be transmitted to the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102, the hub device 1112, and/or the backend server 1122.

In some embodiments, the device application 1518 may configure theprocessor 1512 to cause the display 1520 to display the image data 1224and/or enable a user to indicate a state associated with the object 1128depicted in the image data 1224. For example, a user may view firstimage data depicting a garage door that is open and second image datadepicting the garage door that is closed. The user may designate thefirst image data as being associated with an open state (e.g., “opengarage door”) and designate the second image data as being associatedwith a closed state (e.g., “closed garage door”). In response toreceiving input from the user, the client device 1108, 1110 maytransmit, using the communication module 1510, an indication that thefirst image data is associated with the open state and the second imagedata as associated with the closed state.

Further, in some embodiments, the device application 1518 may configurethe processor 1512 to enable a user to designate a motion zone, such asa package protection mode described below. For example, the deviceapplication 1518 may configure the processor 1512 to cause the display1520 to display the image data 1224. While displaying the image data1224, a user may provide input (e.g., touch input, mouse input, etc.)that draws or otherwise positions visual representations on the imagedata 1224 to represent a motion zone. As such, the user may define themotion zone to correspond to a region within the field of view of thecamera 1204 of the A/V recording and communication device 1102. In someembodiments, the user may provide a tag (e.g., name) for the motionzone. The client device 1108, 1110 may transmit, using the communicationmodule 1510, the motion zone and/or the tag to the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102, the hub device 1112, and/or the backendserver 1122.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the device application 1518 may configurethe processor 1512 to cause the display 1520 to display a dashboard. Thedashboard may include information identifying one or more objects 1128within the field of view of the camera 1204, a state of the object 1128,etc. For example, the dashboard may display a list of objects 1128within the field of view of the camera 1204 along with a state of eachof the objects 1128 (e.g., parcel, garage door open, side gate closed,car parked in driveway, front door open, wood pile full, etc.). In someembodiments, information regarding the objects 1128 and/or states of theobjects 1128 are overlaid onto the image data 1224 (e.g., identifyinginformation and/or a state of the object 1128 appears next to the object1128).

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 39-42, the various componentsincluding (but not limited to) the processing modules 1202, 1302, 1404,1502 and the communication modules 1212, 1304, 11102, 1510 arerepresented by separate boxes. The graphical representations depicted ineach of FIGS. 39-42 are, however, merely examples, and are not intendedto indicate that any of the various components of the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102, the hub device 1112, the backend server 1122,and/or the client device 1108, 1110 are necessarily physically separatefrom one another, although in some embodiments they might be. In otherembodiments, however, the structure and/or functionality of any or allof the components of each of the A/V recording and communication device1102, the hub device 1112, the backend server 1122, and/or the clientdevice 1108, 1110 may be combined. As an example, the structure and/orfunctionality of any or all of the components of the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 may be combined. In addition, in someembodiments, the communication module 1212 may include its ownprocessor, volatile memory, and/or non-volatile memory. As a secondexample, the structure and/or functionality of any or all of thecomponents of the hub device 1112 may be combined. In addition, in someembodiments, the communication module 1304 may include its ownprocessor, volatile memory, and/or non-volatile memory. As a thirdexample, the structure and/or functionality of any or all of thecomponents of the backend server 1122 may be combined. In addition, insome embodiments, the communication module 11102 may include its ownprocessor, volatile memory, and/or non-volatile memory. As a fourthexample, the structure and/or functionality of any or all of thecomponents of the client device 1108, 1110 may be combined. In addition,in some embodiments, the communication module 1510 may include its ownprocessor, volatile memory, and/or non-volatile memory.

The client device 1108, 1110 may also include location data 1418. Thelocation data 1418 may be the location of the client device, such as thelocation of the client device 1108, 1110 using global positioning systemcoordinates or other location technologies. In addition, the locationdata 1418 may be the location of the client device 1108, 1110 inreference to a property. for example, the location data 1418 mayindicate that the client device 1108, 1110 is not at or near theproperty to which a parcel has been delivered.

Now referring to FIG. 43, FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process for deterring parcel theft with an A/V recordingand communication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. At block B600, the process receives, by a processor, imagedata including a parcel recorded by the camera in a field of view of thecamera. For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 801 of FIG. 55) ofthe client device 1108, 1110 may receive the image data 460 including aparcel recorded by the camera 444 in a field of view of the camera 444.

At block B602, the process displays the image data on a display of aclient device. For example, the processor of the client device 1108,1110 may display the image data 460 on the display of the client device1108, 1110 (e.g. display 1520 of FIG. 42). The image data 460 on thedisplay may be a visual representation of the field of view of thecamera 444. The image data 460 may include the parcel, such as theparcel 711 of FIGS. 52-54. The image data 460 displayed on the displaymay be a still image captured by the camera 444, a live, streaming,and/or recorded video captured by the camera 444, and/or a frame of avideo recorded by the camera 444. For example, once the A/V recordingand communication device 1102 determines a parcel is present, the camera444 may capture a still image of the field of view of the camera 444including the parcel for sending to the client device 1108, 1110 to havethe parcel boundary 475 created. In another example, a video feed may besent to the display of the client device 1108, 1110, and the user may beable to, based on the presence of the parcel, enter the parcelprotection mode whereby the user may create the parcel boundary 475. Insuch an example, the user may be able to freeze the video at a certainframe to create the parcel boundary 475. In another example, theprocessor of the client device 1108, 1110 may freeze the video at aframe that includes the parcel for the user to create the parcelboundary 475. In yet another example, the user may be able to create theparcel boundary 475 while viewing the live streaming video. This examplemay be useful where the field of view of the camera 444 does not change.

With further reference to FIG. 43, the process, at block B604, receives,by the processor based on the image data displayed on the display of theclient device, an input including a first selection of a parcel boundaryfor monitoring the parcel within the parcel boundary, and a secondselection of a monitoring action to be executed in response to theparcel being moved from within the parcel boundary. For example, theprocessor of the client device 1108, 1110, based on the image data 460(e.g., a visual representation of the field of view of the camera 444including the parcel), receives an input including a first selection ofthe parcel boundary 475 for monitoring the parcel within the parcelboundary 475, and a second selection of a monitoring action (e.g.,generating a user alert) to be executed in response to the parcel beingmoved from within the parcel boundary 475.

The selection of the parcel boundary 475 may be done by the user usingany of the methods described above with respect to FIGS. 42-44. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 52, the user may draw the parcelboundary 712 around the parcel 712 using his or her finger 715 on thedisplay 731 of the client device 1108, 1110. As another example, asillustrated in FIG. 43, the user may fit a parcel boundary 712 of aparticular shape, such as a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, orother shape, around the parcel 711 using his or her fingers 715 on thedisplay 731. In yet another example, as illustrated in FIG. 52, the usermay select automatic detection mode (ADM) to have the processor of theclient device 1108, 1110 automatically generate the parcel boundary 712around the parcel 711 on the display 731 of the client device 1108,1110. In such an example, object detection and/or recognition may beused, as described above, to locate the parcel in the image data 460 forgenerating the parcel boundary 475.

The second selection of the monitoring action to be executed in responseto the parcel being moved from within the parcel boundary 475 mayinclude a selection of the generation of a user alert, the sounding ofan alarm, and/or the activating of the camera 444 to record image data460 of the parcel being moved, for example. The user may be presented alist of options for the monitoring action, including those listed above,from which to choose. The user may be presented the list of optionsbefore, during, and/or after the selection of the parcel boundary 475.

In embodiments where the monitoring action includes the user alert 472,the user alert 472 may include an indication that the parcel has beenremoved from the parcel boundary 475. For example, the user may receivethe user alert 472 on the display of their client device 1108, 1110 withtextual information indicating that the parcel has been removed fromwithin the parcel boundary 475. In some of the present embodiments, theuser alert 472 may include information about the person who removed theparcel from within the parcel boundary 475. For example, as discussedabove, the image data 460 may be analyzed using computer vision todetermine the identity of the person and/or to determine if the personis an authorized person. If the person is authorized and/or the identityof the person may be determined (e.g., by comparing the person in theimage data 460 to a database of suspicious person), the identity of theperson may be included in the user alert 472. For example, the name ofthe person and/or an indication of whether the person is authorized ornot may be included as textual information in the user alert 472. Insome of the present embodiments, the user alert 472 may include at leastone frame captured by the camera 444 during the time the parcel is beingremoved from the parcel boundary 475. For example, the user alert 472may include the live or pre-recorded video of the parcel being movedfrom within the parcel boundary 475. For another example, a number offrames may be captured by the camera 444 during the time that the parcelis being moved from within the parcel boundary 475, and the user alert472 may include at least one of those frames. In some of the presentembodiments, each of the frames may be analyzed to determine the framethat is most relevant based on the motion detection rules 470. Forexample, based on the motion detection rules 470, the frame that is mostrelevant may be the frame including the parcel and the person who isremoving the parcel. In such an example, there may be multiple framesincluding the person and the parcel, and the frame with the clearestimage, such as a facial image, of the person may be the selected framefor including in the user alert 472, for example. In some of the presentembodiments, the user alert 472 may be programmed to display as apush-notification on the display of the client device 1108, 1110. Thepush-notification may include the information discussed above relatingto the removal of the parcel and may further include at least one framefrom the video and/or a still image, as discussed above.

In some of the present embodiments, the first selection and the secondselection may be made in response to entering the parcel protectionmode. In such embodiments, the user, similar to that described above,may be able to activate and deactivate (e.g., turn on and off) theparcel protection mode. For example, the user may be aware that his orher spouse is arriving home, and may deactivate the parcel protectionmode. In some of the present embodiments, the user may activate, ordeactivate, or change the monitoring action, while leaving the parcelmonitoring within the parcel boundary 475 in place. This action may betaken, for example, when the user wants to have a record of the parcelbeing moved, but does not wish to have a monitoring action executed inresponse to the parcel being moved.

At block B606, the process generates and transmits, by the processorbased on the input, parcel monitoring rules to an A/V recording andcommunication device. For example, the processor of the client device1108, 1110 may generate and transmit, using the communication module450, the parcel monitoring rules 473 to the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102. The parcel monitoring rules 473 may be usedby the A/V recording and communication device 1102 to update the motiondetection rules 470 of the motion detector (e.g., the camera 444 and/orthe motion sensor 474) to monitor the parcel within the parcel boundary475 and execute the monitoring action in response to the parcel beingmoved from within the parcel boundary 475.

Now referring to FIG. 44, FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process for deterring parcel theft with an A/V recordingand communication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. The process of FIG. 44, as indicated at block B608, maycontinue from block B606 of the process of FIG. 43. At block B610, theprocess receives, by a processor based on parcel monitoring rules and inresponse to a parcel being moved from within a parcel boundary, a useralert. For example, the processor (e.g., the processor 801 of the clientdevice 404), based on the parcel monitoring rules 473 and in response tothe parcel being moved from within the parcel boundary 475 (e.g., theparcel 711 being moved from within the parcel boundary 712 of FIGS.52-54), receives the user alert 472.

As discussed above, the user alert 472 may include a notification thatthe parcel has been moved from within the parcel boundary 475, anotification of who removed the parcel, if the person is an authorizedperson or a recognized unauthorized person, a live or pre-recorded videoof the parcel being moved from within the parcel boundary 475, and/or aframe from the video captured by the camera 444 during the movement ofthe parcel from within the parcel boundary 475, for example.

At block B612, the process displays the user alert on a display of aclient device. For example, the user alert 472 may be displayed on thedisplay of the client device 1108, 1110. The user alert 472, asdiscussed above, may display on the client device 1108, 1110 as apush-notification. The user may be able to select the push-notificationto access video (live or pre-recorded) captured by the camera 444 of theparcel being moved from within the parcel boundary 475. In some of thepresent embodiments, the user alert 472 may be programmed such that thevideo from the parcel being removed from the parcel boundary 475automatically displays on the display of the client device 1108, 1110.In some of the present embodiments, the user alert 472 may be programmedto provide a notification that an alert is pending (e.g., with a number“1” or an “!” overlaid on the application icon on the display of theclient device 1108, 1110). In such an embodiment, the user alert 472 mayfurther be programmed to save the video of the parcel being moved fromwithin the parcel boundary 475 for viewing at a future time by the user.

Now referring to FIG. 45, FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process for deterring parcel theft with an A/V recordingand communication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. At block B614, the process receives, by a processor from aclient device associated with an A/V recording and communication device,parcel monitoring rules for monitoring a parcel in a field of view of amotion detector. For example, the processor 452 receives from the clientdevice 1108, 1110 associated with the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102, the parcel monitoring rules 473 for monitoring the parcelin a field of view of the motion detector (e.g., the camera 444 and/orthe motion sensor 474). The parcel monitoring rules 473 may be similarto those described above with respect to FIG. 34 and block B606 of FIG.43, for example.

At block B616, the process updates, based on the parcel monitoringrules, the motion detection rules to create updated motion detectionrules. For example, the processor 452 may update the motion detectionrules 470 based on the parcel monitoring rules 473 to create updatedmotion detection rules 470. The parcel monitoring rules 473 may updatethe motion detection rules 470 similar to that described above withrespect to FIG. 39. For example, the motion detection rules 470 may havean initial setting (e.g., sensitivity level) where the parcel boundary475 is located. In response to receiving the parcel monitoring rules473, the motion detection rules 470 may be updated such that the updatedmotion detection rules 470 have a current setting different than theinitial setting within the parcel boundary 475. For example, the currentsetting may be an increased sensitivity within the parcel boundary 475,as described above. For another example, similar to that describedabove, successive frames of the image data 460 may be compared withinthe parcel boundary 475 to determine if any change is detected.

At block B618, the process detects, by the motion detector based on theupdated motion detection rules, that the parcel has been moved fromwithin the parcel boundary. For example, the motion detector (e.g., thecamera 444 and/or the motion sensor 474) may detect that the parcel hasbeen moved from within the parcel boundary 475 based on the updatedmotion detection rules 470. Without updating the motion detection rules470, the removal of the parcel from the parcel boundary 475 may not havebeen noticed and/or may have been ignored by the user. For example,absent the parcel monitoring rules 473, the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 may have detected the motion event of a personentering the field of view of the camera 444 and/or the motion sensor474, however, the image data 460 generated in response would not havebeen analyzed in view of the presence of a parcel and/or a parcelboundary 475. As such, the user alert 472, for example, generated inresponse to the person removing the parcel from the parcel boundary 475may only indicate the presence of a person, which may go unnoticed, ormay be ignored by the user. However, using the updated motion detectionrules 470 based on the parcel monitoring rules 473, the user alert 472may include the information pertaining to the parcel being removed fromthe parcel boundary 475, and thus may result in the user paying closerattention and/or not overlooking the user alert 472. In another example,the parcel may be located in a zone (e.g., one of Zone 1-5 of FIG. 20),or within a part of the zone where, absent the parcel monitoring rules473, the removal of the parcel may have gone undetected based on currentmotion detection rules 470. For example, the user may have disabledmotion detection in the zone, or part of the zone. However, with theupdated motion detection rules 470 based on the parcel monitoring rules473, the parcel boundary 475 may trigger enhanced monitoring of thezone, or the part of the zone where the parcel boundary 475 is located.

At block B620, the process executes, by the processor in response to thedetecting that the parcel has been moved from within the parcel boundaryand based on the updated motion detection rules, the monitoring action.For example, the processor 452 may execute the monitoring action (e.g.,generate and transmit, using the communication module 450, the useralert 472) based on the updated motion detection rules in response todetecting that the parcel has been moved from within the parcel boundary475. The parcel monitoring rules 473 may include the monitoring actionto be executed, as discussed above, which may be, for example,generating the user alert 472, activating the camera 444 to record theparcel being moved from within the parcel boundary 475, and/or signalingan alarm using the speaker 448.

Now referring to FIG. 46, FIG. 46 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process for deterring parcel theft with an A/V recordingand communication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. As indicated at block B630, the process of FIG. 46 mayprecede the process of FIG. 45, such that the process of FIG. 45, atblock B614, continues the process of FIG. 46 after block B628.

At block B622, the process generates, by an A/V recording andcommunication device, motion data in response to a motion event in afield of view of the A/V recording and communication device. Forexample, the motion sensor 474 and/or the camera 444 may generate themotion data 468 in response to a motion event in the field of view ofthe motion sensor 474 and/or the field of view of the camera 444. Themotion event may, in some of the present embodiments, be caused by themovement of a person with a parcel in the field of view of the motiondetector (e.g., the camera 444 and/or the motion sensor 474). The personmay be carrying the parcel, dragging the parcel, pushing the parcel, orthe like. The person may be, for example, a mail carrier, a deliveryperson, etc., as discussed above.

At block B624, the process activates, by a processor based on the motiondata, a camera to record image data in a field of view of the camera.For example, the processor 452, based on the image data 460, mayactivate the camera 444 to record image data 460 in the field of view ofthe camera 444.

At block B626, the process analyzes, by the processor, the image data todetermine whether the image data includes a parcel. For example, theprocessor 452 may analyze the image data 460 to determine whether theimage data 460 includes the parcel. This process may be similar to thatdescribed above (e.g., with respect to the process, at block B300, ofFIG. 27). In addition, the image data 460 may be analyzed to determinethe location of the parcel within the field of view of the camera 444.

At block B628, the process transmits, by the processor based on thedetermination whether the image data includes a parcel, the image datato a client device associated with the A/V recording and communicationdevice. For example, the processor 452 may transmit, using thecommunication module 450, the image data 460 to the client device 1108,1110 based on the determination that the image data 460 includes theparcel. The processor 452, using the communication module 450, maytransmit the image data 460 with a user alert 472 indicating to the userof the client device 1108, 1110 that the parcel is present. For example,the user alert 472 may be programmed to allow the user to activate theparcel protection mode whereby the user may be able to create the parcelboundary 475.

The image data 460 transmitted at block B628 may be received by theclient device 1108, 1110 at block B600 of FIG. 43, for example. Inresponse, the client device 1108, 1110 may execute the process of FIG.43 and/or the process of FIG. 44, for example. In response, the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 may receive, at block B614, theparcel monitoring rules 473 transmitted by the client device 1108, 1110at block B606 and execute the process of FIG. 45, for example.

Now referring to FIG. 47, FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process for deterring parcel theft with an A/V recordingand communication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. At block B632, the process receives, from a client device, afirst selection of a parcel boundary for monitoring a parcel within theparcel boundary, and a second selection of a monitoring action to beexecuted in response to the parcel being moved from within the parcelboundary. For example, the processor 502 of the backend server 1122 mayreceive, using the communication module 520, from the client device1108, 1110, a first selection of the parcel boundary 475 for monitoringthe parcel within the parcel boundary 475, and a second selection of amonitoring action to be executed in response to the parcel being movedfrom within the parcel boundary 475. In other words, after the user ofthe client device 1108, 1110 makes the first selection and the secondselection at block B604 of FIG. 43, for example, the processor 502 ofthe backend server 1122 receives the first selection (e.g., the parcelboundary 475) and the second selection (e.g. the monitoring action suchas the user alert 472).

At block B634, the process generates and transmits, based on the firstand second selections, parcel monitoring rules to the A/V recording andcommunication device. For example, the processor 502 may generate andtransmit, using the communication module 520, the parcel monitoringrules 473 to the A/V recording and communication device 1102. Thisprocess may be similar to that of block B606 of FIG. 43, except it maybe executed by the processor 502 of the backend server 1122, forexample.

Now referring to FIG. 48, FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process for deterring parcel theft with an A/V recordingand communication device according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure. As indicated at block B642, the process of FIG. 48 mayprecede the process of FIG. 47, such that the process of FIG. 47, atblock B632, continues the process of FIG. 48 after block B640.

At block B636, the process receives image data recorded by a camera in afield of view of the camera in response to a motion event detected bythe A/V recording and communication device in a field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device. For example, the processor 502 ofthe backend server 1122 may receive the image data 460 recorded by thecamera 444 in a field of view of the camera 444 in response to a motionevent detected by the A/V recording and communication device (e.g., bythe camera 444 and/or the motion sensor 474) in a field of view of theA/V recording and communication device 1102 (e.g., a field of view ofthe camera 444 and/or a field of view of the motion sensor 474). Theprocessor 502 may receive the image data 460 from the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 after the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102 records the image data 460 at block B624, for example.

At block B638, the process analyzes the image data to determine whethera parcel is present. For example, the processor 502 may analyze theimage data 460 to determine if a parcel is present. This process may besimilar to that of block B626 of FIG. 46, except it may be executed bythe processor 502 of the backend server 1122, for example.

At block B640, the process transmits, based on the determination that aparcel is present, the image data to a client device. For example, theprocessor 502, using the communication module 520, may transmit theimage data 460, based on the determination that a parcel is present inthe image data 460, to the client device 1108, 1110 associated with theA/V recording and communication device 1102. This process may be similarto that of block B628 of FIG. 46, except it may be executed by theprocessor 502 of the backend server 1122, for example.

The image data 460 transmitted at block B640 may be received by theclient device 1108, 1110 at block B600 of FIG. 43, for example. Inresponse, the client device 1108, 1110 may execute the process of FIG.43 until block B604, and may transmit the first selection and the secondselection from block B604 to the backend server 1122, for example. Inresponse, the backend server 1122 may receive, at block B632, the firstselection and the second selection and execute the process of FIG. 47,for example.

Now referring to FIG. 49, FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating oneembodiment of a process 4900 for sensor-based prompts to activatepackage protection mode according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The process 4900 at block B644, receives, using the communicationmodule, first image data from an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device. For example, the backend server 1122 may receive,using the communication module 520 (and/or the hub device 1112 mayreceive, using the communication module 1304), the image data 460 fromthe A/V recording and communication device 1102. In some examples, thebackend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may further receiveother data, such as, but not limited to, the motion data 468.

The process 4900 at block B646, based at least in part on the receivingof the image data, analyzes the image data to determine that a parcelhas been delivered to a property. For example, the backend server 1122(and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze the image data 460 to determinethat a parcel has been delivered to a property. In some examples, thebackend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) makes the determinationbased on determining that the image data 460 depicts the parcel. In someexamples, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) makes thedetermination based on determining that the image data 406 depicts aperson (e.g., a delivery person) dropping the parcel off at theproperty.

The process 4900 at block B648, in response to the determination thatthe parcel has been delivered to the property, transmits, using thecommunication module and to a client device, a user alert indicatingthat the parcel has been delivered to the property. For example, thebackend server 1122 may transmit, using the communication module 520(and/or the hub device 1112 may transmit, using the communication module1304), the user alert 1234 to the client device 1108, 1110. The useralert 1234 may indicate that the parcel has been delivered to theproperty.

The process 4900 at block B650, determines that the security system isdisarmed. For example, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device1112) may determine that the security system is disarmed. In someexamples, the backend server 1122 may make the determination based onreceiving, using the communication module 520, data from the hub device1112, where the data indicates that the security system is disarmed. Insome examples, the determination that the security system is disarmedmay not be performed. For example, the state of the security system mayalready be known. In other examples, the process may not require thatthe security system be disarmed.

The process 4900 at block B652, based at least in part on determiningthat the security system is disarmed and that the parcel has beendelivered, analyzes data to determine that the property is unoccupied.For example, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) mayobtain and analyze occupancy data 1242 to determine that the propertyhas been unoccupied and/or has been unoccupied for a threshold period oftime. are not located at the location (e.g., not located within and/oroutside of the location). In some examples, to determine that thelocation is unoccupied, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device1112) may analyze the image data 1224 (e.g., occupancy data 1242) todetermine that the image data 1224 depicts occupants leaving thelocation, but the image data 1224 does not depict the occupantsreturning to the location. In some examples, to determine that thelocation is unoccupied, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device1112) may analyze motion data 1230 (e.g., occupancy data 1242) todetermine that motion has not been detected at the location (e.g.,motion has not been detected within and/or outside of the property). Insome examples, to determine that the location is unoccupied, the backendserver 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may determine that the securitysystem is operating in one or more specific modes, such as the armedaway mode.

In some examples, to determine that the location is unoccupied, thebackend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze audio data(e.g., occupancy data 1242) to determine that sounds at the locationindicate that the location is unoccupied. In another example, thebackend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze audio data(e.g., occupancy data 1242) and determine that an absence of sound (orsounds) inside a property do not indicate the presence of an occupant.For example, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) maydetermine, based on the analysis, that the audio data 1226 does notrepresent user speech at the location. Still, in some examples, todetermine that the location is unoccupied, the backend server 1122(and/or the hub device 1112) may utilize the geographic location(s) ofthe client devices 1108, 1110 to determine that the client device 1108,1110 are located outside of the location and/or located a thresholddistance from the location. The threshold distance may include, but isnot limited to, one hundred feet, five hundred feet, one thousand feet,one mile, and/or the like.

The process 4900 at block B654, based on determining that the propertyis unoccupied, transmits, using the communication module and to theclient device, a request to place the A/V recording and communicationdevice in a package protection mode. For example, the backend server1122 may transmit, using the communication module 520 (and/or the hubdevice 1112 may transmit, using the communication module 1304), arequest 486 to the client device 1108, 1110. The request 486 may be toplace the A/V recording and communication device 1102 (and/or thesecurity system) in a package protection mode. In some examples, whenplaced in package protection mode, various motion settings are updated.

The process 4900 at block B656, receives, using the communication moduleand from the client device, a message from the client device, themessage to place the A/V recording and communication device in thepackage protection mode. For example, the backend server 1122 mayreceive, using the communication module 520 (and/or the hub device 1112may receive, using the communication module 1314), a message 482 fromthe client device 1108, 1110. The message 482 may instruct the backendserver 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) to place the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 (and/or the security system) in the packageprotection mode. In some examples, other modes may be available or useddepending on the capabilities of the A/V recording and communicationdevice 1102 (and/or the security system). For example, an activationmode may be used.

The process 4900 at block B658, causes the A/V recording andcommunication device to operate in the package protection mode. Forexample, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may causethe A/V recording and communication device 1102 to operate in thepackage protection mode. In some examples, to cause the A/V recordingand communication device 1102 to operate in the package protection mode,or other modes as discussed above, the backend server 1122 may transmit,using the communication module 530 (and/or the hub device 1112 maytransmit, using the communication module 1314), a signal 482 to the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102, where the signal 482 isconfigured to cause the A/V recording and communication device 1102 tooperate in the package protection mode.

Now referring to FIG. 50, FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating anotherembodiment of a process 5000 for sensor-based prompts to activatepackage protection mode according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The process 5000 at block B660, determines that a parcel has beendelivered to a property. For example, the backend server 1122 (and/orthe hub device 1112) may determine that the parcel has been delivered tothe property. In some examples, to make the determination, the backendserver 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze image data 460 todetermine that the image data 460 depicts the parcel. In some examples,to make the determination, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hubdevice 1112) may analyze the image data 406 to determine that the imagedata 460 depicts a person (e.g., a delivery person) dropping the parceloff at the property. Still, in some examples, to make the determination,the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device 1122) may receive amessage

The process 5000 at block B662, determines that the property isunoccupied. For example, the backend server 1122 (and/or the hub device1112) may determine that the property is unoccupied. In some examples,to determine that the property is unoccupied, the backend server 1122(and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze the image data 460 to determinethat a person has left the property and has not entered the property. Insome examples, to determine that the property is unoccupied, the backendserver 1122 (and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze motion data 468 todetermine that motion has not been detected inside and/or outside of theproperty for the threshold period of time. In some examples, todetermine that the property is unoccupied, the backend server 1122(and/or the hub device 1112) may analyze audio data 462 to determinethat sounds inside the property indicate that an occupant is notpresent.

The process 5000 at block B664, transmitting, using the communicationmodule and to a client device, a request to place an electronic devicein a package protection mode. For example, the backend server 1122 maytransmit, using the communication module 520 (and/or the hub device 1112may transmit, using the communication module 1304), and to the clientdevice 1108, 1110, a request 486 to place the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 in a package protection mode.

The process 5000 at block B666, receives, using the communicationmodule, a message from the client device, the message to place theelectronic device in the package protection mode. For example, thebackend server 1122 may receive, using the communication module 520(and/or the hub device 1112 may receive, using the communication module1314), a message 482 from the client device 1108, 1110. The message 482may indicate to place the A/V recording and communication device 1102 inthe package protection mode.

The process 5000 at block B668, causes the electronic device to operatein the package protection mode. For example, based on receiving themessage, the backend server 1122 may transmit, using the communicationmodule 520 (and/or the hub device 1112 may transmit, using thecommunication module 1314), a signal 484 to the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102.

Now referring to FIG. 51, FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating anotherembodiment of a process 5100 for sensor-based prompts to activatepackage protection mode according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The process 5100 at block B700 receives a user alert indicating that aparcel has been delivered to a property. For example, client device1108, 1110 may receive, using the communication module 1510, a useralert 1234 indicating that a parcel 710 has been delivered to aproperty. In some examples, the user alert 1234 may include image data460 generated by the A/V recording and communication device 1102, wherethe image data 460 depicts the parcel 710.

The process 5100 at block B702, causes the user alert to be displayed ona display. For example, the client device 1108, 1110 may cause the useralert 1234 to be displayed on the display 1520.

The process 5100 at block B704, receives one or more notifications fromthe network device, the one or more notifications indicating that theproperty is unoccupied and that the A/V recording and communicationdevice is not in a package protection mode. For example, the clientdevice 1108, 1110 may receive, using the communication module 1510, oneor more notifications 1420 indicating that the property is unoccupiedand that the A/V recording and communication device 1102 is notoperating in the package protection mode.

The process 5100 at block B706, causes the one or more notifications tobe displayed on the display. For example, the client device 1108, 1110may cause the one or more notifications 1420 to be displayed on thedisplay 1520. In some examples, the client device 1108, 1110 may furthercause one or more graphical elements to be displayed on the display1520. The one or more graphical elements may include at least a firstgraphical element for placing the A/V recording and communication device1102 in the package protection mode and a second graphical element fornot placing the A/V recording and communication device 1102 in thepackage protection mode.

The process 5100 at block B708, receives an input associated withplacing the A/V recording and communication device in the packageprotection mode. For example, the client device 1108, 1110 may receive,using the input interface 1504, input associated with placing the A/Vrecording and communication device 1102 in the package protection mode.In some examples, the input may correspond to a selection of the firstgraphical element associated with placing the A/V recording andcommunication device 1102 in the package protection mode. In someexamples, the client device 1108, 1110 may further receive, using theinput interface 1504, a second input associated with placing a secondA/V recording and communication device 1102 in the package protectionmode.

The process 5100 at block B710, transmitting data that causes the A/Vrecording and communication device to operate in the package protectionmode. For example, based on receiving the input, the client device 1108,1110 may transmit, using the communication module 1510, data (e.g., apackage protection mode request 1238) that is configured to cause theA/V recording and communication device 1102 to operate in the packageprotection mode. In some examples, the client device 1108, 1110transmits the data to the A/V recording and communication device. Insome examples, the client device 1108, 1110 transmits the data to thebackend server 1122, which then transmits the data to the A/V recordingand communication device 1102.

In various embodiments, techniques as disclosed herein may protectagainst parcel theft and/or may aid in apprehending perpetrators ofparcel theft. In particular, as described above, the present embodimentsadvantageously leverage the functionality of A/V recording andcommunication devices to deter parcel theft and/or to identify andapprehend parcel thieves. Various embodiments may determine when one ormore parcels have been left within and/or removed from the area aboutthe A/V recording and communication device. When one or more parcels areremoved from the area about the A/V recording and communication device,various embodiments may determine whether such removal was authorizedand, if desired, generate an alert. The user may then determine what, ifanything, to do in response to the alert, such as notifying lawenforcement and/or sharing video footage of the parcel theft, such asvia social media.

FIG. 55 is functional block diagrams of a client device 404 on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The user's client device 114 described withreference to FIG. 1 may include some or all of the components and/orfunctionality of the client device 404. The client device 404 maycomprise, for example, a smartphone.

With reference to FIG. 55, the client device 404 includes a processor801, a memory 804, a user interface 805, a communication module 809, anda dataport 811. These components are communicatively coupled together byan interconnect bus 813. The processor 801 may include any processorused in smartphones and/or portable computing devices, such as an ARMprocessor (a processor based on the RISC (reduced instruction setcomputer) architecture developed by Advanced RISC Machines (ARM).). Insome of the present embodiments, the processor 801 may include one ormore other processors, such as one or more conventional microprocessors,and/or one or more supplementary co-processors, such as mathco-processors.

The memory 804 may include both operating memory, such as random-accessmemory (RAM), as well as data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM),hard drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storage element.The memory 804 may include removable memory elements, such as aCompactFlash card, a MultiMediaCard (MMC), and/or a Secure

Digital (SD) card. In some of the present embodiments, the memory 804may comprise a combination of magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductormemory, and may include, for example, RAM, ROM, flash drive, and/or ahard disk or drive. The processor 801 and the memory 804 each may be,for example, located entirely within a single device, or may beconnected to each other by a communication medium, such as a USB port, aserial port cable, a coaxial cable, an Ethernet-type cable, a telephoneline, a radio frequency transceiver, or other similar wireless or wiredmedium or combination of the foregoing. For example, the processor 801may be connected to the memory 804 via the dataport 811.

The user interface 805 may include any user interface or presentationelements suitable for a smartphone and/or a portable computing device,such as a keypad, a display screen, a touchscreen, a microphone, and aspeaker. The communication module 809 is configured to handlecommunication links between the client device 800 and other, externaldevices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing data appropriately.For example, inbound data from the dataport 811 may be routed throughthe communication module 809 before being directed to the processor 801,and outbound data from the processor 801 may be routed through thecommunication module 809 before being directed to the dataport 811. Thecommunication module 809 may include one or more transceiver modulescapable of transmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, oneor more protocols and/or technologies, such as GSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95(CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA, TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA,Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or any other protocol and/or technology.

The dataport 811 may be any type of connector used for physicallyinterfacing with a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, suchas a mini-USB port or an IPHONE®/IPOD® 30-pin connector or LIGHTNING®connector. In other embodiments, the dataport 811 may include multiplecommunication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example,other processors, servers, and/or client terminals.

The memory 804 may store instructions for communicating with othersystems, such as a computer. The memory 804 may store, for example, aprogram (e.g., computer program code) adapted to direct the processor801 in accordance with the present embodiments. The instructions alsomay include program elements, such as an operating system. Whileexecution of sequences of instructions in the program causes theprocessor 801 to perform the process steps described herein, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software/firmware instructions for implementation of the processes ofthe present embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments are not limitedto any specific combination of hardware and software.

FIG. 56 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. The computer system 900 maybe embodied in at least one of a personal computer (also referred to asa desktop computer) 900A, a portable computer (also referred to as alaptop or notebook computer) 900B, and/or a server 900C. A server is acomputer program and/or a machine that waits for requests from othermachines or software (clients) and responds to them. A server typicallyprocesses data. The purpose of a server is to share data and/or hardwareand/or software resources among clients. This architecture is called theclient—server model. The clients may run on the same computer or mayconnect to the server over a network. Examples of computing serversinclude database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, webservers, game servers, and application servers. The term server may beconstrued broadly to include any computerized process that shares aresource to one or more client processes.

The computer system 900 may execute at least some of the operationsdescribed above. The computer system 900 may include at least oneprocessor 910, memory 920, at least one storage device 930, andinput/output (I/O) devices 940. Some or all of the components 910, 920,930, 940 may be interconnected via a system bus 950. The processor 910may be single- or multi-threaded and may have one or more cores. Theprocessor 910 may execute instructions, such as those stored in thememory 920 and/or in the storage device 930. Information may be receivedand output using one or more I/O devices 940.

The memory 920 may store information, and may be a computer-readablemedium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage device(s)930 may provide storage for the system 900, and may be acomputer-readable medium. In various aspects, the storage device(s) 930may be a flash memory device, a hard disk device, an optical diskdevice, a tape device, or any other type of storage device.

The I/O devices 940 may provide input/output operations for the system900. The I/O devices 940 may include a keyboard, a pointing device,and/or a microphone. The I/O devices 940 may further include a displayunit for displaying graphical user interfaces, a speaker, and/or aprinter. External data may be stored in one or more accessible externaldatabases 960.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computerhardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Featuresof the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as amachine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, forexecution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present methodsteps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a programof instructions to perform functions of the described implementations byoperating on input data and generating output.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit dataand/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. A computer program may include aset of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in acomputer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result.A computer program may be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions mayinclude, for example, both general and special purpose processors,and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind ofcomputer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or datafrom a read only memory (ROM), or a random-access memory (RAM), or both.Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions andone or more memories for storing instructions and/or data.

Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks.Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory,including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, orincorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integratedcircuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features of the presentembodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device,such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displayinginformation to the user. The computer may further include a keyboard, apointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, and/or a touchscreen bywhich the user may provide input to the computer.

The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computersystem that includes a backend component, such as a data server, and/orthat includes a middleware component, such as an application server oran Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such asa client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or anInternet browser, or any combination of these. The components of thesystem may be connected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, such as a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networksforming the Internet.

The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and servermay be remote from each other and interact through a network, such asthose described herein. The relationship of client and server may ariseby virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, the steps in the processes described herein need not beperformed in the same order as they have been presented, and may beperformed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented asbeing performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performedconcurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as beingperformed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performedseparately.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network device comprising: one or moreprocessors; a communication module; and a non-transitorymachine-readable memory storing instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the one or more processors to performoperations comprising: receiving, using the communication module, imagedata from an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication deviceinstalled at a property; based at least in part on the image data,determining that a parcel has been delivered to a property; based atleast in part on the parcel being delivered to the property,transmitting, using the communication module and to a client device, afirst message indicating that the parcel has been delivered to theproperty; determining that a security system associated with thesecurity system is disarmed; determining that the property has beenunoccupied for a threshold period of time; based at least in part on theproperty being unoccupied for the threshold period of time,transmitting, using the communication module and to the client device, arequest to place the A/V recording and communication device in a packageprotection mode; receiving, using the communication module and from theclient device, a second message instructing the network device to placethe security system in the package protection mode; and based at leastin part on receiving the message, transmitting, using a communicationmodule, a signal to the A/V recording and communication device, thesignal configured to cause the A/V recording and communication device tooperate in the package protection mode.
 2. The network device of claim1, wherein determining that the parcel has been delivered to theproperty comprises: analyzing the image data; and based at least in parton the analyzing the image data, determining that the image data depictsthe parcel.
 3. The network device of claim 1, wherein the image data isfirst image data, and wherein the operations further comprise:receiving, using the communication module, second image data generatedby the A/V recording and communication device, wherein determining thatthe property has been unoccupied for the threshold period of timecomprises determining, using the second image data, that a person hasleft the property at a first time and a person has and has not enteredthe property between the first time and a second time.
 4. The networkdevice of claim 1, the operations further comprising: receiving, usingthe communication module, motion data generated by one or more sensorsassociated with the property; wherein determining that the property hasbeen unoccupied for the threshold period of time comprises determining,using the motion data, that motion has not been detected within theproperty for the threshold period of time.
 5. The network device ofclaim 1, the operations further comprising: receiving, using thecommunication module, audio data generated by one or more sensorsassociated with the property, wherein determining that the property hasbeen unoccupied for the threshold period of time comprises determining,using the audio data, that an occupant is not present.
 6. The networkdevice of claim 1, wherein the A/V recording and communication device isa first A/V recording and communication device and the image data isfirst image data, and wherein the operations further comprise:transmitting, using the communication module, a query to determineoccupancy to a second A/V recording and communication device; andreceiving, using the communication module, at least one of motion dataor image data from the second A/V recording and communication device,wherein determining that the property has been unoccupied for thethreshold period of time comprises determining, based at least in parton the at least one of the motion data or the second image data, thatthe property has been unoccupied for the threshold period of time. 7.The network device of claim 1, the operations further comprising:determining that the parcel is not removed from a delivery locationafter a period of time, wherein transmitting the request to place theA/V recording and communication device in the package protection mode isfurther based on the parcel not being removed from the delivery locationafter the period of time.
 8. The network device of claim 1, wherein therequest is first request and the client device is a first client device,and wherein the operations further comprise: determining that apredetermined period of time has elapsed since transmitting the requestto the client device; and based at least in part on determining that theperiod of time having elapsed, transmitting, using the communicationmodule, a second request to a second client device, the second requestto place the A/V recording and communication device in the packageprotection mode.
 9. A method for a network device, the network deviceincluding a processor and a communication module, the method comprising:receiving, by the processor and using the communication module, imagedata from an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication device; basedat least in part on the image data, determining, by the processor, thata parcel has been delivered to a property; determining, by theprocessor, that a security system associated with the property isdisarmed; determining, by the processor, that the property isunoccupied; based at least in part on the security system being disarmedand the property being unoccupied, transmitting, using the communicationmodule, a request to a client device to place the A/V recording andcommunication device in a package protection mode; receiving, by theprocessor and using the communication module, a message instructing thenetwork device to place the security system in the package protectionmode; and based at least in part on receiving the message, transmitting,using a communication module, a signal to the A/V recording andcommunication device, the signal configured to cause the A/V recordingand communication device to operate in the package protection mode. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein determining that the parcel has beendelivered to the property comprises determining that the image datadepicts the parcel.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the image data isfirst image data, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving,by the processor and using the communication module, second image datagenerated by the A/V recording and communication device, whereindetermining that the property has been unoccupied for the thresholdperiod of time comprises determining, using the second image data, thata person has left the property and that, over the threshold period oftime, a person has not entered the property since the person has leftthe property.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving,by the processor and using the communication module, motion datagenerated by one or more sensors associated with the property; whereindetermining that the property has been unoccupied for the thresholdperiod of time comprises determining, using the motion data, that motionhas not been detected within the property for the threshold period oftime.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving, by theprocessor and using the communication module, audio data generated byone or more sensors associated with the property, wherein determiningthat the property has been unoccupied for the threshold period of timecomprises determining, using the audio data, that an occupant is notpresent for the threshold period of time.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein determining that the property is unoccupied comprisesdetermining that an occupant exited the property and subsequently armedthe security system.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the A/Vrecording and communication device is a first A/V recording andcommunication device and the signal is a first signal, and wherein themethod further comprises, based at least in part on receiving themessage, transmitting, using a communication module, a second signal toa second A/V recording and communication device, the signal configuredto cause the second A/V recording and communication device to operate inthe package protection mode.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the A/Vrecording and communication device is a first A/V recording andcommunication device and the request is a first request, and wherein themethod further comprises: determining, before receiving the message,that a predetermined period of time has passed since transmitting therequest; and transmitting, by the processor and using the communicationmodule, a second request to a second client device, the second requestto place the A/V recording and communication device in the packageprotection mode to a second client device.
 17. A method implemented by aclient device that includes a display, a communication module, and aprocessor, the method comprising: transmitting, by the processor andusing the communication module, location data to a network device, thelocation data indicating that the client device is outside of aproperty; receiving, by the processor and using the communicationmodule, a user alert from at least one of the network device or anaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication device, the user alertindicating that a parcel has been delivered to the property; based atleast in part on receiving of the user alert, causing, by the processor,the user alert to be displayed on the display; receiving, by theprocessor and using the communication module, a notification indicatingthat the A/V recording and communication device is operating in modeother than a package protection mode; causing, by the processor, thenotification to be displayed on the display; causing, by the processor,an option to be displayed on the display, the option for causing the A/Vrecording and communication device to operate in the package protectionmode; receiving, by the processor, an input selecting the option forcausing the A/V recording and communication device to operate in thepackage protection mode; and based at least in part on receiving of theinput, transmitting by the processor and using the communication module,a message to the network device, the message indicating to place the A/Vrecording and communication device in the package protection mode. 18.The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving, by the processorand using the communication module, image data generated by the A/Vrecording and communication device, the image data depicting at leastthe parcel; and causing, by the processor, the image data to bedisplayed on the display.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the useralert further indicates that the property is unoccupied.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein the A/V recording and communication device is afirst A/V recording and communication device and the message is a firstmessage, and wherein the method further comprises, based at least inpart on receiving the input, transmitting by the processor and using thecommunication module, a second message to the network device, the secondmessage indicating to place a second A/V recording and communicationdevice in the package protection mode.